Saving and financing responsibly
Since 2000, Ethical Banking has been a business area of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and the participating Raiffeisenkassen of South Tyrol. Its guiding principles are solidarity, encouraging personal responsibility and promoting help towards self-help.Ethical Banking means investing your money with a good feeling: you choose the savings line in which you want to invest your money yourself. In this way, we finance forward-looking ecological and social projects at preferential interest rates while placing great emphasis on transparency.
With Ethical Banking, we respond to the growing demand among investors for a form of saving in which the meaningful use of money is more important than a return that can be expressed purely in figures.
The personal benefit is significant: together, savers and the Raiffeisenkasse contribute to a future worth living and give investing money a new purpose.
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Preserving shepherding culture – shaping the future together
The association Hirtenkultur Südtirol is committed to preserving and passing on one of the oldest professions in the Alpine region. For generations, shepherds and shepherdesses have shaped the alpine landscapes of South Tyrol. Through their daily work, they maintain valuable grazing areas, promote biodiversity and preserve unique knowledge about nature, animals and life in the mountains.Our goal is to make this living tradition visible, to connect people and, above all, to inspire younger generations to engage with shepherding culture. Through events, educational programmes and projects, we create opportunities for encounters between people, nature and culture.
As a partner in the cross-border project WeideWert, we work together with organisations from South Tyrol, Austria and Italy to sustainably develop alpine pasture and grazing management and to raise awareness of its importance for our society.
With the support of Ethical Banking of the Raiffeisenkasse Bozen, we can continue our work and implement new projects.
Every contribution helps preserve shepherding culture as an important part of South Tyrolean identity – for our landscapes, our biodiversity and future generations.
Shepherding culture lives through people who take responsibility. Thank you for being part of it.
Matthias Prieth, Shepherd
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#11 Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and the participating Raiffeisen partner banks in South Tyrol
In this episode, we talk to Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and the participating Raiffeisenkassen in South Tyrol. Why can money also represent responsibility and create a positive impact? What do loans look like when people are truly at the centre? How do Ethical Banking promotional loans make a difference locally? 160 video clips show the impact in practice!And what does all of this have to do with a wild bee oasis? We also talk about how, shortly after a video shoot, a landslide buried an herb farm and how Ethical Banking helped in this situation. Roland also shares his passion for culture and his strong commitment to this field.
Hosted by Thomas Hanni, Cooperative Communications
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First tours of the Wild Bee Oasis – secure your spot now!
The time has come: the new registration page for guided tours of our BEE SAVE Wild Bee Oasis in Kaltern is now online. https://bees.ethicalbanking.it/de. Reserve your preferred date - places are limited.The first two guided tour dates are:
• 2 July at 6:00 p.m.
• 10 August at 6:00 p.m.
All further dates will be available directly in the portal as soon as they are confirmed.
The Wild Bee Oasis offers a unique nature experiende, with fascinating insights into the world of wild bees and the importance of biodiversity. We look forward to welcoming you there.
Children's book "Ungurungu" becomes a great success!
It may only be a small yellow book, but it tells a truly wonderful story: Through a fundraising campaign featuring the children's book "Ungurungu 2", another 43,000€ was raised in a short period of time. The money has now been donated to the Peter Pan Children's Cancer Aid Organisation.Please continue reading here.
Opening of our BEE SAVE Wild Bee Oasis in the Lavasontal Valley
Just over a month ago, Raiffeisendasse Bozen opened its Wild Bee Oasis in the Lavasontal Valley, a flagship project of the "Bee-Save" initiative dedicated to the protection of bees and wild bees. The opening cereony attracted numerous visitors who wanted to experience the project first-hand. Most guests arrived by bicycle, highlighting the project's commitment to sustainability. Children enthusiastically built creative insect hotels, while Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and its partner Raiffeisenkassen, as well as project coordinator of the Wild Bee Oasis, shared insights into the oasis and its development. Biologist David Hofer from the cooperative b*coop expanded the guests' knowledge with a guided tour of the oasis itself. The team from the inclusive hotel Masatsch provided refreshments and brought the event to a successful conclusion.The natural oasis provides a safe habitat for endangered wild bee species while also serving as an educational space for everyone interested in nature conservation and biodiversity. Information panels illustrate the importance of wild bees for our ecosystem and their essential contribution to preserving biodiversity. Schools, kindergartens, associations and interested groups are especially welcome to visit the oasis. In this way, the oasis becomes a place of learning where knowledge and awareness of nature are fostered in a playful way. In the future, the Wild Bee Oasis will be cared for and maintained by the staff of the inclusive community garden run by Lebenshilfe.
Photos ©Matteo Groppo
Take a look around the oasis - a short video tour
Find out more here
Watch the peer.tv South Tyrol feature
Read and watch the Salto feature
Protective Forest Award for "Bäume statt Zinsen" (Trees instead of Interest)
At this year's Helvetina Protective Forest Award ceremony, held at the Forum in Brixen in March, a total of 12 projects were presented and honoured. Among the award winners were Ethical Banking and the Schlanders Forestry Inspectorate for their joint project "Bäume statt Zinsen". Projects were submitted in the categories of School Projects, Successful Projects, Public Relations, Protective Forest Partnerships and Innovation."Bäume statt Zinsen" is a project by Raiffeisenkasse Bozen in the Public Relations category. For every €1,000 invested in a fixed-term deposit, one tree is planted in cooperation with the Schlanders Forestry Inspectorate.
The Protective Forest Award is presented annually in one of the regions that belong to the Association of Alpine Forestry Associations. These include the forestry associations of Bavaria, Graubünden, St. Gallen, South Tyrol, Tyrol, Vorarlberg, Carinthia and Liechtenstein. Learn more about the work of the South Tyrolean Forestry Association on its website www.forstverein.it, about the Protective Forest Award on www.helvetia.com.
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"Sustainability Awards 2025" once again goes to Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen
This year, we were once again honoured with the Sustainability Award in Milan - the fourth consecutive year we have received this recognition. This time, the jury gave special recognition to the BEE SAVE eco-social fixed-term deposit:"Ethical Banking of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen. In addition to the many initiatives it has developed over the years, the South Tyrolean bank has introduced the 'BEE SAVE' project - an investment product that allows customers to combine their financial interests with environmental protection. The fixed-term deposit enables customers to earn interest while choosing what percentage of their returns they wish to donate towards the creation of two valuable habitats: a Wild Bee Oasis in the Lavasontal Valley and an educational apiary in Jenesien."
In the picture: Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking, Sarah Auer, Ethical Banking Specialist, and Ivan Rech Daldosso, Branch Manager
Ungurungu is back - a fundraising campaign for Peter Pan Children's Cancer Aid
The second volume of the successful children's book is now available at all branches of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and through Ethical Banking.
In front of a full audience at the Theater im Hof, children's book author Ivan Rech Daldosso and Dr Michael Mayr, President of Peter Pan, presented the second volume of the children's book Ungurungu2. Among the approximately 30 pupils from Goethe Primary School in Bozen, Ungurungu itself once again made a special appearance - this time with a suprise!Please continue reading here
Ungurungu raises €87,000 for children with cancer - the beloved children's book continues!
It may only be a small red book, but it tells a truly remarkable story: An incredible €87,000 was raised through the fundraising campaign centred around the children's book Ungurungu. The proceeds have now been donated to Peter Pan Children's Cancer Aid. Children's book author Ivan Rech Daldosso, Roland Furgler from Raiffeisen Ethical Banking, Alexander Gasser, Chairman of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen, and General Manager Günter Mair presented the donation of €87,000 to Peter Pan President Dr Michael Mayr.On this occasion, the Ungurungu team also announced some exciting news: the long wait is over - the sequel to the story of the little cuddly, woolly creature will be published later this year! Children discover the mysterious creature on a South Tyrolean alpine pasture and name it Ungurungu, as that is the only sound it can make. Together they experience a series of adventures, during which the mysterious Ungurungu gradually reveals some of its secrets.
New book
Raiffeisenkasse Bozen will once again cover the printing costs, and the new book will be available from December at all Raiffeisenkasse Bozen branches in exchange for a voluntary donation."Once again, my daughter Maja has created the illustrations for the second volume, and I'm sure readers will be excited to discover how the story of Ungurungu continues and what new adventures await them. Together, the children experience fun, exciting and sometimes dangerous adventures, while Ungurungu gradually reveals more of its secrets", says children's book author Ivan Rech Daldosso.
As with the first book, all proceeds from the fundraising campaign will once again be donated to Peter Pan Children's Cancer Aid. "We are overwhelmed by the tremendous success of this campaign and are already looking forward to the second volume," says Peter Pan President Dr Michael Mayr.
Highlights from the Ungurungu Children's Book Launch
Ethical Banking receives the Sustainability Award for the third consecutive year
Another remarkable achievement for Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen. At a gala evening in Milan, the Ethical Banking team was honoured with the Sustainability Award 2024 in the Banking & Finance category – following the same recognition in 2022 and 2023. This time, the jury gave special recognition to the Social Days initiative:“Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen – in 2023, the bank launched the commendable initiative ‘Social Days’. Employees of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen are encouraged to step outside their daily work routine and immerse themselves in experiences that make a real difference, supporting people facing a wide range of challenges, from poverty and disability to social isolation and financial hardship. In return, they gain valuable life lessons about resilience and the emotional strength of those who overcome such obstacles every day.”
Read more here
In the picture: Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking, and Ivan Rech Daldosso, Branch Manager
One thing is certain: Nature is at the heart of everything we do
"BEE-SAVE" Fixed-Term Deposit
Protecting the environment is a key priority for Raiffeisenkasse Bozen. That is why we offer an eco-social fixed-term deposit dedicated to the protection of wild bees and honey bees. Together, we make a valuable contribution to safeguarding our natural environment.With the BEE SAVE Fixed-Term Deposit, you invest in projects that help protect the habitats and populations of wild bees and honey bees. Through the creation of a Wild Bee Oasis in the Lavasontal Valley in Kaltern and an educational apiary in Jenesien, we work together with our members, customers and savers to actively support the conservation of these essential pollinators.
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Ethical Banking wins another Sustainability Award!
Following last year’s great success – when the Ethical Banking team received the Sustainability Award 2022 in the Finance category at a gala evening in Milan – Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen has once again been honoured with the Sustainability Award 2023, selected from 157 submissions.Alongside leading financial institutions such as Generali Banca, Gruppo BPM and Intesa Sanpaolo, Ethical Banking impressed the jury with its responsible approach to saving and financing. Savers decide for themselves which local ecological and social lending projects their deposits support. By foregoing high financial returns, they enable preferential loans that create a positive impact for people and the environment.
The jury commented: “Among the many projects and initiatives completed by the bank in 2022, the Ungurungu campaign stood out in particular. As part of this initiative, the bank covered the costs of publishing and distributing a children’s book written by employee Ivan Rech Daldosso. All proceeds – amounting to more than €25,000 – were donated to Peter Pan Children’s Cancer Aid.”
Pictured: Roland Furgler, Head of Ethical Banking, and Ivan Rech Daldosso, children's book author and Branch Manager.
Continue reading here
Presentation of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen's first Sustainability Report
At the celebration marking 125 years of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen in autumn 2022, the bank promised its members that, building on its cooperative values, it would place an even stronger focus on sustainability in the years ahead.Now, one year later, we were pleased to present our first Sustainability Report to our members during a pre-Christmas gathering.
For further details, please click here.
Trees Instead of Interest - Reforestation Initiative in Allitz
Our money helps forests grow
Raiffeisenkasse Bozen and its customers fund 10,000 young trees for the Vinschgau Sun Mountain“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second-best time is now.” (Chinese proverb)
Inspired by this belief and committed to making a positive contribution to climate protection, 40 enthusiastic customers and employees of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen travelled to the Vinschgau Valley at the beginning of May. They wanted to take an active role in planting the young trees that had been financed through their Ethical Banking fixed-term deposits on the Allitz Sun Mountain.
For further details, please click here.
Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award 2023 presented in Bozen
The second Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award, held in memory of Agitu Ideo Gudeta, was presented at Centro Vintola in Bozen. The initiative aims to keep the legacy of Agitu Ideo Gudeta alive through this annual award.With this award, the organisers wish to recognise women who are pioneers of sustainable agriculture in South Tyrol and Trentino, and who, through their multifaceted work, are driving innovation and shaping the future of rural communities.
Over the past few months, the award promoters – Martina Schullian, Susanne Elsen, Alessandra Piccoli, Monika Gross and Marion Maier – reviewed a total of 16 applications. They unanimously selected Elisabeth Prugger from Eyrs – Greiterhaus – as the deserving winner of the Agitu Ideo Gudeta Award 2023.
Read the full story here
Ethical Banking wins the Sustainability Award 2022!
A major achievement for Ethical Banking at Raiffeisenkasse Bozen: At a gala evening in Milan, the Ethical Banking team received the Sustainability Award 2022 in the Finance category.Companies from a wide range of sectors, as well as banks from across Italy, were invited to submit their sustainability projects for the award.
Read the full story here
Fundraising campaign for Peter Pan Children's Cancer Aid
Children's book now available at all Raiffeisenkasse Bozen branches, through Ethical Banking, and from Peter Pan Bozen
On 1 December 2022, children’s book author Ivan Rech Daldosso and Michael Mayr, President of Peter Pan, presented the new children’s book Ungurungu at a packed event held at Theater im Hof (Obstplatz 37, Bozen). Among the approximately 30 pupils from Goethe Primary School Bozen, Ungurungu itself made a very special appearance.The fact that Ungurungu revealed itself to the public for the very first time is, to say the least, nothing short of sensational. Bozen can now proudly claim another world-famous attraction alongside its most renowned resident – Ötzi, the Iceman.
Read the full story here
South Tyrol Cycles 2022: Raiffeisenkasse Bozen successfully defends its title as the most committed employer
Once again, the employees of Raiffeisenkasse Bozen took part in the South Tyrol Cycles initiative in 2022. As in the previous year, the bank was awarded the title of "Most Committed Employer" in the category for organisations with 51 to 250 employees. Together, the staff cycled more than 25,000 kilometres.The ranking was based on several criteria, including the percentage of employees who participated, the total distance cycled and the average distance covered per participant.
Raiffeisenkasse Bozen has been taking part in the initiative for many years and continues to encourage more people to choose the bicycle as part of their everyday lives. Cycling is not only faster – especially for short journeys, in heavy traffic and when parking is limited – but also more economical and healthier. And, of course, it is better for the climate: every five kilometres travelled by bike instead of by car reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately one kilogram.
Good for you – good for the environment!
One thing is certain: Our responsibility continues to grow
Fixed-Term Deposit "Bäume statt Zinsen" (Trees Instead of Interest)
Making your savings matter is easy – for our forests and our environment.Open a Trees Instead of Interest Fixed-Term Deposit, and instead of paying interest, Raiffeisenkasse Bozen invests in young trees that help create a resilient, close-to-nature forest ecosystem in the Vinschgau Valley.
In spring 2023, all participating savers will come together to plant these trees. The Schlanders Forestry Inspectorate prepares the forest site, installs protective fencing to safeguard the young trees from wildlife browsing, and cares for them in the years to come to ensure their healthy growth.
“He who plants trees, knowing that he will never sit in their shade, has at least begun to understand the meaning of life.”
Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1941)
More details here.
The 2026 Agitu Gudeta Award goes to Sabine Schrott from Uttenheim
In Erinnerung an die ermordete multifunktional tätige Pionierin Agitu Ideo Gudeta ruft die private ehrenamtliche Initiativgruppe nun die fünfte Auflage des Förderpreises für Pionierinnen der nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft in Trentino Südtirol aus.
Das Wesen und Wirken der Trentiner Soziologin, Ziegenzüchterin, Unternehmerin und Netzwerkerin mit äthiopischen Wurzeln hat bei allen, die sie kannten, Spuren hinterlassen. Ihr ausgesprochener Optimismus und ihr ökosoziales Feingefühl waren Richtungsweisend für ihr Handeln. Die engagierte Initiativgruppe bestehend aus Monika Gross, Susanne Elsen, Alessandra Piccoli, Martina Schullian und Marion Maier hat in den vergangenen beiden Jahren den Förderpreis ausgerufen, der großen Anklang gefunden hat.
Der Förderpreis richtet sich an Pionierinnen in der nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft in der Region Trentino Südtirol und wird jährlich ausgelobt. Mit dem Förderpreis erhält die Gewinnerin 2.500 Euro sowie mediale Sichtbarkeit, sie wird Teil eines ökosozialen Netzwerkes in der Region.
Talk on Meadow-Nesting Birds in the Upper Pustertal Valley
Das Forstinspektorat Welsberg, die Arbeitsgemeinschaft für Vogelkunde und Vogelschutz sowie Ethical Banking laden herzlich zur Infoveranstaltung "Wiesenbrüterschutz im oberen Pustertal". Am Donnerstag, 07. Mai um 18.30 Uhr in Niederdorf und um 20 Uhr in Toblach. Um den Lebensraum der Wiesenbrüter zu sichern, wurde im oberen Pustertal das Wiesenbrüterprojekt gestartet - nach dem Vorbild des ähnlichen Projekts auf der Malser Haide.
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Ethical Banking zu Besuch bei Reinhard Lunger am Karerpass