Steward Ownership per Country
The principles of steward ownership are universal. They resonate strongly across the globe, independent of culture, religion or level of development. The face of steward ownership, however, changes as you travel around the world, shaped by legal structures, varying degrees of cultural embeddedness and local forerunners. This page collects what we know. We are honest about the gaps and grateful to our international network of field builders filling them.
Where there is no detailed country page yet, we link directly to the websites of local field building organisations, which can offer further details on steward ownership in that country.
United States
Across the United States, companies are demonstrating what purpose-driven ownership can look like in practice: New legal pathways, including Perpetual Purpose Trusts and other stewardship-aligned structures, are making implementation possible.
United Kingdom
Founders and investors in the UK increasingly recognise that ownership design decides what a company can protect over time. Trusts, golden shares and a strong employee ownership movement give steward ownership fast-growing ground.
Germany
Home to long-standing foundation-owned companies like Zeiss and Bosch, and to an ongoing debate about a dedicated legal form, Germany has many interesting case studies to learn from.
Netherlands
Steward ownership has become a popular company structure in the Netherlands, enabled through different legal mechanisms. With an ever-growing company base, the Netherlands offers a vibrant ecosystem for steward ownership.
Latin America
Family businesses are the backbone of many economies in the region, making succession a key opening for steward ownership. Steward ownership in Latin America builds on a long tradition of collective and cooperative organisations.
Switzerland
Swiss law offers established routes to bind ownership across generations, often via succession. Find case studies and templates and how steward ownership can be implemented in Switzerland here.
Uganda & Tanzania
In East Africa the question of ownership is currently closely tied to who builds and holds regenerative agri-food businesses. Learn more how steward ownership can be designed in these two countries.
Belgium
Small country, vibrant movement: Steward ownership in Belgium is fast growing, with entrepreneurs and investors from the Belgian regions adopting it through golden share models or foundations.
Greece
Stewardship has ancient roots in Greece, with the Ancient Greeks seeing themselves as stewards of Athena’s olive trees. The idea is resurfacing today, trailblazed by a growing social innovation scene.
Spain
Interest in 'propiedad orientada al propósito' is growing among Spanish entrepreneurs, in a country with a strong cooperative tradition.
Looking for more info?
We will provide knowledge on more countries soon! Are you looking for more info? Below you'll find additional entry points.
Are you looking for a resources in a specific country? In our resource hub you can filter for languages and regions!
Are you looking for a contact person in your region? Below you'll find the contact information of the field building organisations, we are partnering with around the world.
Not seeing your country? Steward ownership is growing fast. If you came across steward ownership in a context not listed here, we'd love to hear from you and help make it visible.