Regionalwert AG

Regionalwert AG is a pioneering German civic investment company that channels citizen capital into sustainable agriculture and regional food enterprises. Based in Freiburg im Breisgau and founded in 2006, the company was one of Germany’s first citizen-owned agricultural investment vehicles, enabling local residents to invest directly in sustainable food systems of their region. Regionalwert AG holds stakes in a network of organic farms, food processors, and service providers in the Freiburg area, all connected by shared commitments to ecological farming, fair labor practices, and regional economic resilience. The company evaluates its investments not only on financial returns but also on social and environmental performance, applying sustainability indicators that assess biodiversity, soil health, animal welfare, and community benefit. By providing patient capital to organic enterprises that may struggle to access conventional financing, Regionalwert AG supports the development of resilient regional food systems. The company also serves as an educational and advocacy platform, engaging shareholders and the wider public in conversations about sustainable agriculture and the role of civic investment in transforming food systems. Its model has inspired similar initiatives across Germany and Europe.