Reflecting on 2024,
we are acutely aware of the profound challenges shaping our world. From geopolitical instability to growing economic inequality, and from rising climate pressures to the continued erosion of biodiversity, this year has served as a powerful reminder: the time for incremental change has passed.
Extreme weather events, forced migration, energy insecurity, and social unrest are no longer distant headlines - they are daily realities for millions. These interconnected crises affect all of us. But they do not affect all of us equally. And that, too, calls for action.
At VP Capital, we believe this is a moment not only of responsibility, but also of opportunity. We see the potential for a new kind of economy - regenerative, inclusive, and aligned with the boundaries of our planet. That belief was at the heart of our decision to fully embrace an impact-first strategy in 2024.
What does it mean to truly put impact first?
That question guided us throughout the year - not just in boardrooms and investment committees, but in conversations with partners, family members, and the many people working across our portfolio. This report marks the first full cycle of that new approach. A year in which we aimed to move from intention to implementation – and encountered both breakthroughs and growing pains along the way.
We learned a lot. About what is possible when ambition and collaboration meet. But also about the complexity of translating sustainability goals into practice, especially in areas like biodiversity, where reliable data and shared methodologies are still emerging.
We saw promising ventures take root, and others struggle with the challenges of early-stage growth. We witnessed inspiring progress on social equality across our direct participations and new impact funds. And we made some difficult decisions - like ending the dairy activities within our mixed farming operations at VP Landbouw after 80 years - because inconsistent agricultural policy made long-term investment untenable.
None of this was easy. But progress rarely is.
If 2024 taught us anything, it is that impact is not a fixed outcome - it is a continuous process of aligning capital with values, and strategy with reality. We do not have all the answers, and we are not trying to claim we do. What we do have is a deep-rooted belief in the responsibility, and opportunity, to invest differently. To use our capital to support solutions that matter, and to do so with care, rigour, and humility.
That is also why we are sharing this report. Not to present a finished story, but to offer a transparent view of where we stand, what we have learned, and where we hope to go next. We know we are not there yet. But we are moving - step by step, together with those around us.
