De Groene Afslag is a circular mini village. It hosts a vegetarian restaurant, a hotel with rooms decorated by artists, several workspaces and a so called ‘Veranderschool’ (School for Change), which offers lectures and training courses on sustainability. Once a place where soldiers lived, it’s now the home of entrepreneurs and creative minds who are building the foundations of a more sustainable economy. “Here, we want to show that the transition to a sustainable society is not only necessary, but also inspiring and achievable,” says initiator Lucas Mol. “We bring together people from business, government and education to do things differently.”
In mid-September 2025, De Groene Afslag will move from its current location, the former Colonel Palm barracks and asylum seekers' centre in Laren, to a location a little further away: the former military school De Spiegelhorst. This monumental building located in a green neighbourhood offers several new opportunities for De Groene Afslag. Where military discipline once reigned, it is now all about imagination and experimentation. At the beginning of this year, the building was awarded the German Design Award for its sustainable architecture by Thomas Rau and Sanne Oomen.
Private contribution to the financing
The expansion of De Groene Afslag was made possible by a loan of EUR 7.5 million provided by Triodos Groenfonds and Triodos Bank. Interestingly, in addition to these parties, a group of private individuals also contributed to the financing. "Now that the Dutch government is paying less attention to making our country more sustainable, I am pleased that these kinds of projects are being supported by citizens who are looking for sustainable investment opportunities with both financial and social returns”, says Lambert de Pater, Senior Relationship Manager for Arts and Culture at Triodos Bank. “The road to a new economy might no longer be imposed from above, but it can also be built from the bottom up. We are doing it together! Initiatives like this exemplify the social role we want to fulfil as a bank."
New direction for Triodos Groenfonds
The financing of De Groene Afslag illustrates the change within Triodos Groenfonds. With the upcoming expiry (in 2027) of the Dutch government’s Groenregeling (a Green Scheme, to stimulate the investment in sustainable projects), the tax benefit for investors in the fund will disappear. Portfolio manager Willy Bulsink calls the loss of the scheme ‘a missed opportunity for making the Netherlands more sustainable’ but also sees new opportunities. “We no longer need to comply with the strict investment criteria of the Green Scheme. This allows us to invest in projects that were previously out of reach, such as circular economy projects likeDe Groene Afslag.” Bulsink wants to focus even more sharply on making our own living environment more sustainable going forward. “It enables investors to see with their own eyes the impact their money has, for example during a visit to De Groene Afslag.”
An additional advantage of the Green Scheme being abolished is the fact that the fund can charge sustainable entrepreneurs a market-based interest rate, as the so-called green discount will also be abolished. This increases the potential return for investors in Triodos Groenfonds, which may compensate for the disappearance of the tax discount while the risks remain the same.
A future in motion
The portfolio of Triodos Groenfonds, which amounted to EUR 676 million as per 30 June 2025, will therefore change gradually. “Existing loans will continue as usual, but we are aiming for new investments of between EUR 50 million and EUR 100 million per year, which will enable us to gradually shift our focus,” explains Bulsink. “The fund currently finances 250 projects in clean energy, sustainable construction and organic farming in the Netherlands. This means that there is an investment project within cycling distance in every Dutch city.”
With the additional space, De Groene Afslag can continue to grow and expand its activities.. “We can do this thanks to the investment from Triodos Bank and Triodos Groenfonds, among others,” says Mol. Triodos perfectly fits with our mission: impact first, both financially and socially. In September, we will be moving to the new location, 400 metres away and two and a half times larger. Ironically, soldiers once learned how to make bombs there; we will now use it to make ammunition for a new economy. By taking our guests out of their comfort zone and letting them experience how things can be done differently, we often see different decisions being made – decisions that can make a difference for a more sustainable Netherlands."
Disclaimer
This is a marketing communication. Please refer to the prospectus and the KID of Triodos Groenfonds before making any final investment decisions. An overview of the investor’s rights can be found in the prospectus which can be found here. The value of your investment can fluctuate because of the investment policy. Triodos Groenfonds is managed by Triodos Investment Management. Triodos Investment Management holds a license as alternative investment fund manager and UCITS and is under the supervision of the Dutch Authority Financial Markets and the De Nederlandsche Bank.
