At NN, we are committed to contribute to the well‑being of people in our communities. In line with this ambition, the NN Social Innovation Startup Award returns for its third edition on 11 June during the Hello Tomorrow Summit in Amsterdam. Early‑stage startups will pitch tech‑enabled solutions that improve mental, physical or financial well‑being, particularly for people whose well‑being is under pressure. The award is part of our collaboration with Rubio Impact Ventures, to support emerging ‘people‑tech’ startups across NN markets in Europe.  

The winning startup receives a €100,000 grant from NN's Social Innovation Fund and access to mentors, investors and the mission-driven networks of both NN and Rubio. Finalists also gain visibility and support to scale their impact. 

We encourage startups that use technology to improve people's mental, physical or financial well‑being to apply. Applications are open until 14 April 2026 on www.socialinnovationaward.com. 

For more background on NN Group contribution to communities see here.

Collaboration between corporate and venture capital

The award offers not only financial support but also access to a broad network of experts, mentors, an investor-readiness programme and a potential investor. The focus is on empowering entrepreneurs in NN markets (Belgium, Czech Republic, Greece, Hungary, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Spain, Turkey and Japan) who are developing innovative solutions to complex social challenges. By combining corporate strength and venture capital, NN Group and Rubio are offering complementary expertise to accelerate societal solutions and innovation in this space.

A movement to empower people through innovation

Fleur Hudig, Head of Corporate Citizenship at NN Group, remarks: ‘At NN, we are committed to making a positive impact in society. That's why we created the NN Social Innovation Fund. Our fund champions early-stage social enterprises that provide solutions for improving people's financial, physical, and/or mental well-being. By partnering with Rubio Impact Ventures, we’re not only providing financial support but also combining our resources to ensure these start-ups receive the guidance and support they need to maximise their potential and create lasting societal impact.’

Driving systemic change

Ilonka Jankovich, Venture Partner at Rubio Impact Ventures, emphasises the importance of providing both funding and support to early-stage start-ups: ‘Early-stage people tech start-ups focused on equal opportunities, mental and physical well-being are key to driving systemic change. However, many of these start-ups lack the financial resources and support necessary to reach their full potential. The support we’re offering in collaboration with NN Group could truly be a game-changer for several impactful start-ups, especially given the breadth of this initiative across various countries in Europe. I am eager to see the innovative solutions that will emerge and look forward to announcing the winners on 28 November during Impact Week Europe in Bilbao. This initiative represents a significant step forward in empowering social enterprises to make a lasting difference.’

Apply now!

Start-ups interested in participating in the NN Social Innovation Startup Awards can apply until 15 October 2024. To be eligible, start-ups must focus on advancing equal education, sustainable livelihoods and well-being. For more information on application criteria and to submit your application, please visit our website. Do not miss this opportunity to showcase your innovative solution and make a significant contribution to social impact across Europe and Japan.

The strategy will target high yield private debt investments primarily in Europe and the US including sectors beyond traditional wind and solar generation, such as hydropower, green hydrogen, energy efficiency, energy storage, bioenergy and sustainable industrial production. The first investment will be financing a large-scale green steel project in Sweden, which aims to produce steel with up to 95% lower CO₂ emissions compared to steel production from coke-fired blast furnaces.

The collaboration supports NN Group in its target to more than double investments in climate solutions to around EUR 11 billion by 2030. The strategy has been jointly designed and developed by NN Group and Macquarie. It will be managed by Macquarie, which has a long-standing track record of providing infrastructure debt financing, having deployed approximately EUR 14 billion in infrastructure and energy debt on behalf of its clients since 2012.

Jelle van der Giessen, Chief Investment Officer of NN Group: ‘We are pleased to support the launch of this new strategy with Macquarie as our trusted partner in infrastructure investments.  It will enable us to further support our contribution to the energy transition across a wide range of sectors beyond traditional renewable energy.’

Tom van Rijsewijk, Co-Head of Macquarie Asset Management’s Private Credit team in Europe, said: ‘There is a considerable and growing demand for debt financing in green investments beyond wind and solar. Substantial investment in these more nascent and critical elements of energy transition ecosystems is needed urgently to accelerate the transition to net zero.’

Finance for Biodiversity Foundation: Biodiversity-climate nexus guide
NN Group plays an active role in the Finance for Biodiversity Foundation. Its goal is to support a call to action and collaboration among financial institutions to reverse nature loss this decade. We have contributed to a new guide on how to manage the biodiversity and climate nexus in investments and lending. The guide helps financial institutions integrate biodiversity into their climate change strategies and offers practical recommendations and sector examples to manage the relationship between biodiversity and climate change in investments. 

Collective engagement initiative Nature Action 100
In September, NN Group joined Nature Action 100, a global investor-led initiative working to drive the necessary corporate action to reverse nature loss. Through Nature Action 100, 190 investor participants will engage directly with 100 companies in key sectors around the world. NN will lead and/or actively participate in a selected number of engagements to advance the investor expectations identified by Nature Action 100. 

Protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems through our investments
Jelle van der Giessen, Chief Investment Officer of NN Group: “As a company, we want to contribute to the well-being of people and planet. To this end, we recognise the importance of integrating biodiversity into our investment strategies and active ownership activities. That is why NN Group has contributed to a guide that helps financial institutions understand the connection between climate change and nature. To further our efforts in protecting and restoring biodiversity and ecosystems through our investments, we also joined Nature Action 100. Collaboration with other investors enables us to leverage our collective knowledge and influence, driving change and encouraging companies to improve their biodiversity impact and practices more effectively." 

This year, we organised a number of initiatives of support during Rotterdam Pride. NN commissioned Laxmi Manuela to create a painting that paid tribute to the freedom and emancipation of love. Further, Laxmi shared her coming out story with her friends, family and the public in attendance. ‘It feels great to share my story during Rotterdam Pride 2023 to support others who are questioning their sexuality. Growing up, I did not have a role model so by telling my story I hope to help people who feel they do not have someone to look up to’ the artist said.

We strongly believe that diversity is about including everyone. To mark this sentiment there also was a blank canvas at Rotterdam Pride so that people were able to express themselves by writing a personal story to inspire others and give support to one another.

Not only were colleagues from the Netherlands invited to Rotterdam Pride, the invitation was also extended to international business units. As part of our collective efforts, NN covered all travel expenses for who joined Rotterdam Pride from Belgium, Japan, Spain, Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Turkey. As a company, we believe it’s important to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ emancipation, equality and acceptance and all our colleagues should be given this opportunity.

At NN, we believe every colleague, customer and stakeholder brings a set of unique talents and perspectives to the table. We embrace this and cultivate a work environment where everybody feels valued. We include all our colleagues, no matter their background, identity, sexual orientation, religion, ability, and cognitive diversity. Our partnership with Rotterdam Pride is one of the ways in which we reflect our ambitions in this area. Read more about NN's approach to diversity and inclusion here.

Photography by Daniel Verkijk

Now that more data about the pandemic are becoming available, we can get a clearer picture of who has been most affected by the virus in recent years. A better understanding of the drivers can help prevent or reduce excess mortality during a next pandemic. The RCLR will use datasets from Statistics Netherlands (CBS), the Dutch national office for statistics. The research results will be made publicly available.

To conduct the research, the RCLR has been awarded a grant by ZonMw, the Netherlands organisation for health research and development. It is part of wider research commissioned by ZonMw to study the impact of the pandemic. A list of all awarded grants can be viewed on the ZonMw website (in Dutch).

About the Research Centre for Longevity Risk

The Research Centre for Longevity Risk is an independent scientific research centre with its researchers determining the centre’s research agenda. All research results will be made public. A Governing Board is established to safeguard the social relevance of the research. In addition to members from the UvA and NN Group, the Governing Board includes representatives from other universities and other financial organisations.

As part of the award, Meher will receive EUR 10,000 to invest in the production of new work. Further, NN Group will purchase an art piece from nominees Salim Bayri, Kévin Bray or Laura Jatkowski for its own art collection.

Monali Meher together with Fleur Hudig during Art Rotterdam

Monali Meher: ‘It’s a very special moment for me, I will cherish it and am deeply honoured to have been awarded the NN Art Award 2023. The prize opens new doors for me and I can continue to invest in my work to create art that raises awareness about the world and comment on its wonders and disasters.’

For Meher, time is the main subject, medium and purpose of her artistic practice. From continuity, repetition and temporality to volatility and immortality, it constructs and distorts. The jury thought her work is poetic and cyclical. She moves you; in circles of destruction and renewal, in circles of personal and universal, and in circles of vulnerability and strength. She is an expert in using different media to convey her stories. Meher uses the natural qualities of her materials and deforms them to transform the space around them. From glass art to the use of herbs, from photography to performances, she masters it.

Fleur Hudig, Head of Corporate Citizenship at NN Group shares: ‘The NN Art Award provides artistic talent a platform to present their latest works. The story of each artists journey is impressive and inspirational. With our award we hope to encourage artists to further explore their capabilities and create pieces to convey a new point of view. The way Meher used raw materials for her art pieces is thought provoking. It shows how art can contribute to raising awareness about a circular economy, and at the same time it demonstrates how the reuse of materials can create something beautiful while contributing to a more sustainable world.’ 

Jury 2023

This year the jury consisted of: 
Inez de Brauw – visual artist and winner of NN Art Award Public Choice 2022 
Yolande van der Heide – curator at Van Abbemuseum 
Ali Keles - collector and Managing Partner at Lakeside Capital Partners 
Marina de Vries - editor-in-chief of Museum magazine 
Elisah van den Bergh - former curator of the NN Art Collection

Nominees 2023

The four nominees of the NN Art Award 2023 were: 
Salim Bayri – Prospects, Mondriaan Fund 
Kévin Bray – Upstream Gallery 
Laura Jatkowski – Prospects, Mondriaan Fund 
Monali Meher – Lumen Travo Gallery

Partnership NN Group and Art Rotterdam

NN Group has been a partner of Art Rotterdam since 2017 and awards this yearly prize to a contemporary art talent with an authentic visual angle and innovative perspective. As a supporter of talent, NN believes it’s important to give artists the opportunity and a platform to inspire others. NN has a long history of cultural sponsorships in the cities where NN has offices; Rotterdam, The Hague and Arnhem with a focus on visual arts, museums and music. By investing in culture, NN connects with local communities, meets customers, inspires employees and clients whilst encouraging art explorers to widen their horizons.

NN is committed to transition its insurance underwriting portfolio to net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100, in order to contribute to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.

The Target-Setting Protocol will enable NZIA members to set science-based, intermediate targets to transition insurance underwriting portfolios to net-zero. It outlines five target types with respect to emissions reduction, engagement and/or insuring the transition category. In line with the protocol’s requirements, NN will subsequently set and disclose initial target(s) by 31 July 2023.

David Knibbe, CEO of NN Group: "The NZIA's Target-Setting Protocol is an important step towards net-zero target-setting for insurance underwriting. It underscores how our industry, through joint action, can play a key role in enabling the transition towards a low-carbon economy."

The Protocol builds on the launch of the global accounting standard to measure greenhouse gas emissions associated with insurance underwriting portfolios, which was developed by the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF) in collaboration with the NZIA.

About the NZIA

The United Nations-convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) is a group of 29 leading insurers representing about 15% of world premium volume globally, who are all signatories to the UN Principles for Sustainable Insurance (PSI). For more information on the NZIA, please refer to their website.

The NZIA will continue to collaborate with the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi) on the development of its approach to target-setting for insurance and reinsurance underwriting portfolios, in line with SBTi’s upcoming Financial Institution Net-Zero Standard (FINZ).

First of all: what an amazing achievement. How are you doing after running the Berlin Marathon last Sunday?

‘Thank you very much. I'm happy to be here at NN headquarters. Happy to sit here, especially to celebrate together after the world record in Berlin. My recovery is going well, I can walk around now in The Hague, I can still run. I can say that my muscle soreness is no longer there, and my mind is also on the right side.’

What would be your most important advice to others to be successful and deal with challenges we face? 

‘First and foremost, to have the right systems working. What I mean by the right systems is that I have my teammates, I have the management, I have the coaching, I have the doctors, I have the physios, I have the sponsors. It’s teamwork and all of them are the systems which can lead to success. Actually, I am a good embracer of change. I love change. And I trust that the moment we change, anything comes at us and we change for it. That’s the only way to move on. So I encourage people to change. I change, every now and then, the sort of training. We are actually getting more knowledge not only from running but also from cycling teams.’

What role does food and nutrition play in your life?

‘Nutrition is key number as far as what I am doing is concerned. I follow nutrition that is part of science. Technology also, with the shoes, the apparel and the watches. Another thing is knowing what is going on in your body. I now monitor my glucose level, and see whether my glucose is low, middle or high. So I am able to change what I eat and actually select the right food to give me energy to move.’

You said before you love change. You are already the fastest. How do you keep motivated to keep on improving?

‘My motivation actually comes from the inspiration that I am instilling to the general public. The general human family in the world. That I am receiving the positive vibes, that I am impacting their lives. People are changing their lives because of the way I am running. Because of my performance, because of my longevity in running. People are changing and that’s my happiness. That’s actually what motivates me. That’s what is pushing me out of bed in the morning.’

The changes you made obviously paid off but you never know in advance. So how do you deal with that uncertainty?

‘Uncertainties are there, and any uncertainty you have to swallow it, and move on and find a solution. I always say that there are two types of human beings in this world. The ones that give solutions, and the ones that create problems. So with every uncertainty, I choose to be the one that gives the solutions and move on.’

Please note the fund name changed on 24 June 2025 from Dutch Climate Action Fund to Dutch Infrastructure Opportunities Fund. This article has been updated to reflect this name change. The rest of the article remains the same.

NN Group today announces that it will launch the Dutch Infrastructure Opportunities Fund. The fund is a partnership with DIF Capital Partners. NN is a cornerstone investor with an initial commitment of EUR 125 million, and DIF Capital Partners will manage the fund.  

The Dutch Infrastructure Opportunities Fund will invest in projects and companies active in climate change solutions that envisage to support the Dutch energy transition. The fund is rising to this challenge by targeting investments that aim to support the reduction of carbon emissions in the Netherlands. These investments are targeted to be pioneers in their markets as well as investments in more traditional clean energy sectors. The fund may invest in energy efficiency, e-mobility, energy storage and hydrogen, as well as in renewable energy generation such as onshore wind and solar farms. Renewable energy generation is expected to be a catalyst for electrification of industries, buildings and transportation, driving a significant part of emission reduction and therefore investment needs. The Dutch Infrastructure Opportunities Fund focuses on equity investments of up to EUR 25 million per investment.

Specifically, the fund’s investments target to support and promote the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals number 7 (affordable and clean energy), number 11 (sustainable cities and communities) as well as number 13 (climate action). Actual contribution to these SDGs, as well as reporting against the progress of achieving selected KPIs in relation to these SDGs, are targeted to be assessed for each investment opportunity. The investments in the fund are part of NN Group’s target to invest an additional amount of EUR 6 billion in climate solutions by 2030.

Jelle van der Giessen, Chief Investment Officer of NN Group: ‘Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of today; weather extremes due to climate change in the form of heat waves, drought and storms are only increasing. In addition to decarbonising our investment portfolio, NN Group has a clear commitment to double our investments in climate solutions by 2030. Companies and households may be able to reduce their carbon footprint, but still need energy. As long as this energy is derived from fossil fuels, we as a society will face difficulties achieving net-zero. Our investments in the Dutch Infrastructure Opportunities Fund will support and accelerate the Dutch energy transition, essential to ultimately reach net-zero.’

Allard Ruijs, Partner of DIF Capital Partners: ‘We are honored to partner with NN Group on this Dutch initiative to further drive the energy transition and the reduction of carbon emissions in our home market through a focused investment strategy and leveraging on DIF’s long standing track record in the global energy infrastructure markets.’

Please see here for more information on NN Group’s climate action approach and policy to transition to a low carbon economy.

This year, the Mauritshuis celebrates its 200^th anniversary. As the main partner of the museum, NN is supporting several anniversary projects throughout the year. 

This summer, two special exhibitions will be on display in the museum: Hello Vermeer!, an interactive exhibition about the famous painter, and a photography exhibition called Flash/Back in which renowned Dutch photographers create new work, inspired by the Mauritshuis collection.

NN and the Mauritshuis are also launching the Mauritshuis Murals, an exhibition of murals painted by talented street artists. The murals are on display in neighborhoods across The Hague and are inspired by the Mauritshuis collection. As part of the same project, NN and the Mauritshuis have invited street artists in the Netherlands to submit a design for a mural. The winning design will be painted on a wall in a neighborhood in The Hague.

Additionally, NN is inviting 200 families from The Hague to visit the museum during the upcoming summer holiday. The visit is being organised together with the LINDA.Foundation, a Dutch charity that supports families in financial need.

Located in the centre of The Hague, the Mauritshuis started as a museum in 1822. Since then, it has become known for its collection of paintings from the 17th century, containing masterpieces from a range of Dutch and Flemish painters, including Vermeer and Rembrandt. NN has been the main partner of the Mauritshuis since 2016. We recently extended our partnership for three years, as part of our aim to help make art and culture accessible to everyone, and thus make a positive contribution to society.

NN Group (NN) today announces the launch of its Positive Impact Programmatic Venture (PIPV), a collaboration between NN and CBRE Investment Management with an initial equity commitment of EUR 500 million. The venture will invest in Dutch sustainable and affordable residential real estate with the aim to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions. PIPV contributes to NN Group’s target to increase investments in climate solutions by at least EUR 6 billion by 2030.

The programme aims to make an impact on a broad range of Environmental, Social and Governmental (ESG) themes. The ambition is to achieve alignment with the environmental objectives of the EU Taxonomy for all investment properties, while also focusing on providing mid-priced rental for households who do not qualify for social housing.

PIPV targets a reduction of 80% of landlord-controlled greenhouse gas emissions and procuring 100% renewable electricity by 2030, and net-zero operational emissions by 2035. Assets must achieve a high standard of energy performance, being at least 10% more efficient than the Nearly Zero Energy Buildings requirements as defined by the Dutch ‘Bijna Energieneutrale Gebouwen’ (BENG).

Jelle van der Giessen, Chief Investment Officer of NN Group: ‘Contributing to the well-being of people and planet is a key element of our strategy. NN has set clear targets towards net-zero emissions and we have pledged to more than double our investments in renewable infrastructure investments, green bonds and energy efficient real estate in the coming years. The PIPV project is clearly contributing to that target.’

Promotion of circularity, water conservation, biodiversity protection and pollution prevention will all be non-negotiable elements incorporated in the asset selection and construction design of the targeted PIPV properties. Going forward, the programme aims to include life cycle assessment of materials employed in the construction phase as part of the development design, with the ambition to move toward innovative and traditional biomaterials for limiting embodied carbon and further reduce waste and pollution.

Simultaneously, the programme will add to the supply of affordable rental homes in high demand areas. A positive impact on communities and the well-being of tenants also plays a critical role in the objectives of the venture, with tenant satisfaction regularly assessed throughout their tenure. With the programme’s aim to reduce energy consumption, this also helps tenants as they will benefit from lower energy costs.

The programme has made its first acquisition with the forward funding agreement to acquire Lighthouse, a residential asset located in a popular location in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

At NN, we do business with the future in mind and contribute to a world where people can thrive for many generations to come. We want to make a positive change to challenges the world is facing today, climate change being one of them.

We have set a clear ambition to accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy and have taken several steps in line with our ambition on climate change. Today, our commitment to the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance (NZIA) is announced. The purpose of this alliance is to set specific targets for the insurance industry to reach the net-zero goal. Committing to the NZIA strategically fits our net-zero commitment for investments for which we support the Net-Zero Investment Framework since the beginning of this year.

NN is keen to be amongst the first companies, and to be the first Dutch insurer, to join the important work of the NZIA. We believe that knowledge sharing with key players in the international (re)insurance market is important to facilitate and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon economy.

David Knibbe, CEO of NN Group:

‘Climate change is one of the most pressing developments of our time and is impacting our customers and the societies in which we operate. Joining the Net-Zero Insurance Alliance fits our ambition to accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy and is in line with our net-zero commitment for investments. By collaborating with other international (re)insurers, we believe that we will all deepen/strengthen our knowledge and increase our impact.’

The UN-convened Net-Zero Insurance Alliance brings together insurers and reinsurers to play their part in accelerating the transition to net-zero emissions economies. Together with all NZIA members, NN is committing to transition its underwriting portfolio to net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050, consistent with a maximum temperature rise of 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels by 2100. More information on the NZIA, please refer to their website.

The NN Running Team, supported by NN Group and Maurten, is organising MA RA TH ON for the second time on 22 and 23 May. Last year 106,000 runners registered for this virtual event, and together they ran a combined 28 laps around the world. With many running events still postponed, and the desire for runners to participate in an event is high, the NN Running Team believes there is no better time to run together again. As supporter of all runners, NN Group is happy to make this second event possible.

Virtual team relay marathon

To join the marathon, people from all over the world form teams of four and run together virtually the marathon distance of just over 42 kilometres. Each team member covers 10.5 kilometres, and as a team they run the full marathon. The participants run solo safely in their own location while still being part of a team and competing as one.

Ten teams will have the chance to run alongside an NN Running Team athlete, who are assigned at random to a participating team. These teams could virtually run together with Eliud Kipchoge, Kenenisa Bekele, Geoffrey Kamworor or Joshua Cheptegei.

#RUNASONE

Remco Barbier, Head of Branding at NN Group: ‘After last year’s success it goes without saying that we are happy to be part of MA RA TH ON again. It will be great to see so many runners from all over the world team up and together run a full marathon. At NN we are supporter of all runners and with this event everything that makes running such a great sport comes together, especially in these challenging times.’

Jos Hermens, NN Running Team Director: ‘It is fantastic that we are organising this event for the second time. Again, in a great collaboration with our title sponsor NN Group and Maurten. Two weeks ago, we organised the NN Mission Marathon, an elite only race. This time we organise an event for everyone because we all miss the excitement of the big mass events. This event will bring our athletes and fans together, back on the start line. In these difficult times we like to challenge people to stay active and to go for a run.’

How to participate

Participants are able to run their 10.5 km section of the race between 12:01am on Saturday 22 May and until 11:59pm on Sunday 23 May (local times) in consideration of the participants’ geography

The competition is free to enter for those aged 18 and above with separate divisions for men, women and mixed teams

Participating NN Running Team athletes will be randomly assigned to their teams

Participants must have a Strava account to join

Follow the NN Running Team and Maurten social channels for updates, information and behind the scenes footage: @NNRunningTeam @Maurten_Official

For more information, to register and to track the leaderboards and how to register please visit NN Running Team website.

In partnership with NN Group, the Mauritshuis has developed a special fragrance box that allows people to experience an art work’s ‘scent’ while watching an online tour from the comfort of their home. This world-first interactive digital look and smell tour was produced for the exhibition ‘Fleeting – Scents in Colour’.

Joël Broekaert, culinary journalist, and Ariane van Suchtelen, curator of the exhibition, take visitors back to the scents of the 17th century. What did the canals of Amsterdam smell like? What was the relationship between smell, health and personal hygiene? And does the experience of the past differ from today?

Fragrance box

In the exhibition, several artworks are complemented by a scent pump so visitors can both smell and see the scents in the paintings. With the museum currently closed due to Covid-19 restrictions, the Mauritshuis specially developed the fragrance box to make this experience possible at home. Ideal for at home, but also in the classroom, care home and hospital ward. The fragrance box contains four scent pumps which allow visitors to smell the scents as they appear in the tour.

Fleur Hudig, Head of Corporate Citizenship NN Group: ‘As a partner and main sponsor of the Mauritshuis, we want to be there for them, particularly now when they are closed and can welcome no visitors. We are doing this by jointly investing in new possibilities to keep the collections accessible and by offering unique experiences. The Mauritshuis has previously organised livestreamed guided tours that could be enjoyed from home. With the addition of the fragrance box, the Mauritshuis is bringing an additional dimension to the at home experience.’

Joël Broekaert is a Dutch culinary journalist who writes about food and eating: ‘Smell is an extremely underrated part of our sensory perception and experience. Without your nose, you can’t taste a thing! Eating is uninteresting if you can’t smell as well. So being able to experience art in this way, not only with my eyes, but also with my nose, is an incredibly special experience.’

The exclusive fragrance box can be ordered via www.mauritshuis.nl/en/fleeting and costs € 20 (plus delivery costs). The tour is offered in Dutch with English subtitles.

The elite-only NN Mission Marathon will be organised by the NN Running Team, Global Sports Communication and the Hamburg Marathon. The race will take place on Sunday, 11 April, around a looped 10.5 km city centre route in Hamburg. The marathon is expected to attract around 100, mainly European, elite athletes, with many representing the NN Running Team.

Olympic qualifying race

With the tagline ‘The fastest way to Tokyo’, the marathon will give athletes the best possible chance to qualify for the rescheduled Olympic Games in Tokyo. The Olympic Marathon will take place on Saturday, 7 August (women), and Sunday, 8 August (men), in Sapporo, Japan.

Remco Barbier, Head of Branding at NN Group: ‘It is great to be able to help top athletes in this way so that they can prepare optimally for perhaps the most important race of their lives. Naturally, we hope that Björn Koreman will be able to show something special as a new member of the NN Running Team.’

Jos Hermens, director of Global Sports Communication: ‘Also in this time, we want to show that we do everything we can to offer athletes a chance for a marathon. In this case it is extra special because it is a qualification for the Olympic Games. I am proud that title sponsor NN Group also supports us in these times and together we want to fulfil the Olympic dream of all those athletes. Hopefully we will see more races coming up soon.’

Frank Thaleiser, Managing Director of the co-organiser MHV: ‘With the NN Mission Marathon Hamburg, many top athletes may get one of the last chances to qualify for the 2020 Olympics. We are pleased that we may support this cause together with the City of Hamburg and our partner Global Sports Communication.’

For more information: please visit the NN Running Team’s website.

At NN Group, our purpose helps focus on the promotion of a sustainable and inclusive society in which everyone can participate. We have made a strategic commitment to contribute to the wellbeing of people in our communities. Through the Future Matters Programme, we help people build financial resilience.

It is only when all our colleagues truly understand the impact of financial distress that they can take effective action to relieve it. So we utilised our long cooperation with Nibud (National Institute for Family Finance Information) to help Nationale-Nederlanden colleagues make a positive change in our communities. More than 400 NN colleagues recently participated in a workshop or training that brought them closer to our customers.

First-hand experience

The workshop focused on raising our colleagues’ awareness of what it’s like to live with problematic debts. It aimed to help them understand the circumstances that people with financial problems live in, so that they can relate better to customers.

The workshop offered our colleagues insights into how they can help customers – and people in general – who are experiencing financial difficulties. ‘It was really intense to experience what life is like when you have debts, and the letters from debt collectors keep coming in while you’re just trying to keep your head above water,’ one participant said. ‘It helped me to feel the pressure our customers feel when they lose control of their finances.’

Impactful support

More than 20% of Dutch households have experienced a drop in income since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. So it’s likely that we all know someone who is experiencing financial stress. With a company as big as NN Group, we can really make a positive impact on society if our colleagues are able to help people with their money matters or can redirect them to support services.

That’s why we also offered our colleagues a specific training to help them understand and utilise opportunities for support. It offered tips and resources our colleagues can use to help. Nibud and insurer Aegon originally developed the training. However, they also made it possible for other banks and insurance companies, among which NN Group, to offer the training to their employees. It was an immediate and overwhelming success. More than 350 colleagues successfully registered for and completed the training.

Partnerships that matter

Thanks to NN’s cooperation with Nibud, our colleagues are even more prepared to help people when they face challenging financial circumstances. They also have the skills to improve our businesses and prevent our customers from having financial problems in the first place. Lastly, they are more aware than ever of opportunities to volunteer in a project from our Community Investment Programme, NN Future Matters.

At NN, we actively seek opportunities to make art and culture accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds. Next to our running sponsorships, we invest in cultural partnerships and since 2018 we have been title sponsor of the NN North Sea Jazz festival, adding music to the mix. As music inspires and fascinates, it plays a role at many events in people’s lives. This relates closely to our brand promise ‘You matter’, with which we want to convey that what matters to you, matters to us. In the Netherlands, Nationale-Nederlanden is proud to contribute to bringing dance fans together online by this tribute to the rich Dutch dance culture.

Remco Barbier, Head of Branding NN Group: ‘With our partnerships we want to offer everybody the opportunity to be part of something special. This is why we support cultural projects with Dutch museums, artists and the music industry. The Dutch electronic dance music has a history of over 30 years and characterises itself by creativity, inclusivity, innovation, entrepreneurship and courage. The music, the festivals and the clubs bring people of all ages and backgrounds together. More than that, Dutch dance has undeniably become an important part of our cultural heritage.’

The Dutch Dance Quiz and Dutch Dance Podcast

The Dutch Dance Quiz will take place virtually on Saturday 17, 24 and 31 October from 21:00 CET. This will be the national quiz for all dance fans with icons of Dutch Dance history from the past thirty years. The quiz can be accessed at the website www.dutchdancequiz.nl (entirely in Dutch).

More anecdotes from the dance scene are being shared in the weekly Dutch Dance Podcast, available through Spotify and many other podcast platforms. Read more (in Dutch) on nn.nl/muziek .