How can the financial sector contribute, or even speed up, businesses’ transition to long-term value creation within a sustainable economy? If it means combining financial, social and environmental values, what pathways and challenges are there for sustainable investing and lending?
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The key challenge is to plan for a long term integration of the financial, social and environmental dimensions. The why, what and how of integrated and sustainable finance are addressed in this three-day RSM Executive Education programme. During workshop sessions you will learn practical tools for implementing sustainable investing and lending, and explore the change management issues that put it in motion.
RSM’s world-class academics and leading experts in asset management and banking will show you how social and environmental dimensions can be integrated without sacrificing returns. After the course you will be able to contribute to a financial sector which fulfils its role in society by allocating funds towards sustainable companies and projects.
The Sustainable Finance programme will show you the newest skills and methods for sustainable investing and lending, which you can adopt in your own business.
I chose to participate in the Sustainable Finance course at RSM because, as an Erasmus alumnus, I am familiar with the quality and professionalism of the university. Joining this course was the right decision for me; the concepts taught are powerful tools in driving the transition toward more sustainable business.
RSM staff are clearly experts in their field, and the whole setting is highly supportive and comfortable. The course was very instructive and relevant for me, with a lot of useful insights in both the theoretical concepts as well as the practical implications of sustainable finance. Additionally, the course has a good balance between theoretical background and practical case work, and the speakers could share many interesting examples from real business life.
There are interesting lecturers and guest lecturers, and the programme is full of insights. It is a small-scale set-up in which interaction between speakers and students is very much encouraged, and the topic is explained well from several angles. I have been involved with this topic for a little while already, but the programme provided me with more in-depth knowledge about sustainable finance, and gave me more insights into the issues that professionals in the financial sector encounter in practice. I learned what is already happening in the sector, and what additional actions governments can take to influence activities in the sector.
The investment decisions of today shape our future. We have a choice. Do we maximise short-term returns, or create long-term sustainable value? It is becoming increasingly clear that society is reaching ecological and social boundaries, and that we can only prosper if we respect these boundaries. Erasmus University’s Sustainable Finance programme provides investors and financiers with the tools to make the right decisions, now and in the future.
During the Sustainable Finance Programme you will learn from Prof. Dirk Schoenmaker, and Dr Karen Maas. Occasionally we may substitute other faculty members according to the content of the programme and their availability.
Dirk Schoenmaker is a professor of banking and finance at RSM, and a fellow at the Brussels-based think-tank Bruegel. He promotes new, integrated thinking of all players in the financial system, including central banks, supervisors, asset managers, analysts, lenders and auditors. He wrote A framework for positive finance, and co-wrote the first textbook on sustainable finance Principles of sustainable finance. His research and teaching aim to incorporate sustainability into mainstream finance. His research topics include sustainable finance, central banking, financial supervision and stability, and European banking. Dirk obtained his PhD in economics from London School of Economics.
Karen Maas is professor of accounting and sustainability in the department of finance and accounting at the Open University, which is based in the UK. Karen is also academic director of Impact Centre Erasmus, a research institute in Rotterdam that focuses on impact strategy and management. Her focuses are sustainability, measuring performance and impact investing. Karen is also responsible for the executive Corporate Social Responsibility programme at the Erasmus School of Accounting and Assurance. She is a member of the Sustainable Finance Lab and the Sustainable Pension Investment Lab. Her work has been published in academic journals and books, on radio and in newspapers.
2 - 4 June 2025
2 - 4 December 2025
€ 3,700 (excl. 21% VAT) including course materials, lunches, and snacks. This fee does not include hotel accommodation.
15% discount for alumni from Erasmus University Rotterdam and RSM, and 25% for (corporate) partners of the Erasmus Platform for Sustainable Value Creation. View the platform's current list of (corporate) partners to see if you are eligible for the discount.
All of our short courses can also be delivered as personalised in-company training to groups of employees from the same organisation. This enables us to develop a comprehensive programme that focuses on your organisation’s own unique situation and issues.
Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus University (RSM) offers a dynamic learning environment for professionals looking to learn new skills and gain more knowledge in business and management education.
Here’s why you should choose RSM:
This programme takes place in Bayle building on the Woudestein Campus of Erasmus University Rotterdam, just 15 minutes by public transport from Rotterdam city centre. Our modern and lively campus has innovative study facilities, sustainable design, and calming green spaces.
Most programmes start at 09:00. Finishing times are different for each programme. There’s also an approximate schedule in each programme’s brochure and on its webpages. When you register for a programme you will be given access to Canvas, our online learning system, and the full schedule is in Canvas. Your programme manager will hand out a detailed schedule on the first day of your programme.
Class sizes are usually between 12 to 24 people, but it does depend on the programme. We aim for a balance between allowing capacity to guarantee individual attention, and achieving a good group dynamic and networking opportunities.
Yes. Alumni from RSM and Erasmus University Rotterdam receive a 15% discount.
RSM alumni are students who have completed either a bachelor of science, master of science, PhD or one executive education programme of more than 40 credit hours. Additionally, companies which sponsor several participants may also be offered a special price.
Participants of open programmes of less than 40 credit hours will not receive a discount.
Programme fees include tuition, programme materials, access to the RSM study facilities and dynamic learning environment. This also includes lunch and refreshments throughout the programme.
Hotel accommodation is not included, so please make individual arrangements for your stay in Rotterdam. See more information in the Transportation, directions and accommodation section below.
If you require hotel accommodation during your stay in Rotterdam, we recommend a few hotels:
Please contact the hotels directly to make and secure your own reservations.
Note: We recommend that you select the flexible booking option when reserving a room.
Our general terms and conditions apply when you register for an open programme. Please review them to learn more about our policies for cancellation, deferral and substitution.
If you have more general questions, we recommend you explore our more in-depth FAQs page. If you are looking for personal advice, then please contact one of our advisors using the contact form below.
Programme advisor
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