The ECDD–GIRE project is helping agricultural cooperatives in the Cascades region take important steps toward stronger governance and better service for their members.
Agriterra began with a full scoping phase, selecting 16 cooperatives to join the project. The first activities focused on four cooperatives that developed annual action plans for the first time. These plans now guide how each group improves its services and structures.
Building leadership
Within each cooperative, 20 lead farmers were chosen to form the first G50 cohorts. These farmers are now central to training and digital adoption. They act as multipliers, sharing knowledge and building capacity within their communities.
Reforming governance
A key milestone was the My Coop training held in Banfora in August 2025. Twenty board members from four cooperatives took part. They included presidents, treasurers, secretaries-general, and auditors. Together, they examined how their cooperatives function and found that, while legally compliant, many still worked like informal associations.
The training showed that cooperative members are not passive recipients but the true drivers of change. This shift in mindset is already shaping how leaders approach management and accountability.
Concrete results
At the end of the training, each cooperative adopted an action plan for 2025–2026 with clear priorities:
- Strengthen governance structures
- Streamline internal management
- Improve responsiveness to members
Board members left the workshop trained, certified, and ready to put these plans into practice.
Growing momentum
The project has laid a strong foundation for change. With action plans in place, leadership identified, and governance reforms underway, cooperatives in the Cascades region are better positioned to grow and serve their members. These early steps point toward a future of sustainability, inclusion, and stronger performance.
