Forest and farm producer organizations as key change agents 
for climate-resilient landscapes and improved livelihood

WEBINAR SERIES

Webinar #3: From savings to strength - how forest and farm producer organizations can use internal finance to boost growth

Wednesday 18 March 2026

🕘 Time: 14.00–15.30 UTC+1  
07.00–08.30 Guatemala | 08.00–09.30 Ecuador, Colombia |  09.00–10.30 Plurinational State of Bolivia  | 13.00–14.30 Ghana, Liberia, Gambia, Togo |
15.00–16.30 Zambia | 16.00–17.30 Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar | 14.00–15.30 Italy | 18.45–20.15 Nepal | 20.00–21.30 Viet Nam 

The webinar will take place via Zoom. Simultaneous interpretation will be available in Spanish, French and English.

Overview

Financial access remains a critical barrier to forest and farm producer organizations (FFPOs) in their goal of helping their members to grow and flourish. At the same time FFPOs are increasingly recognized as primary agents for managing much of the world's rural finance through self-mobilized capital. Savings groups, such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and Community Microfinance Groups (CMGs), as well as financial cooperatives, such as Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) and credit unions, are a prime example of internal mechanisms that enhance financial access and social cohesion. Improving access to appropriate funding mechanisms is crucial for the growth of agricultural enterprises.

This webinar will present real-world experiences in the creation and implementation of self-managed financial structures and show how they contribute to improved livelihoods through the mobilization of millions of dollars annually, providing loans for agriculture, small scale trade, healthcare, education, and more.

Objectives

• To share practical strategies for mobilizing internal finance, leveraging collective financial structures, such as savings groups and financial cooperatives, and
• establishing partnerships with formal financial institutions to support sustainable agrifood systems and social resilience

Discussion points

• Strategies for mobilizing internal finance through the provision of financial services managing savings groups and financial cooperatives.
• The role of savings groups, financial cooperatives and other internal financial mechanisms in fostering social cohesion, income generation, and financial resilience within FFPOs.

Watch the video recording