Socodevi Begins Two New Mandates
Strengthening Cooperative Economic Development in Bolivia
Socodevi is reinforcing its commitment and expanding its impact in Bolivia’s tara value chain—an Andean shrub—through a new mandate that builds upon its SAYARIY project. This initiative is supported by the British Embassy in La Paz, which now joins Socodevi’s financial partners.
Since 2023, the SAYARIY project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, has reached more than 10,000 farming families. Through this new partnership with the British Embassy in La Paz, Socodevi will be able to integrate more than 200 additional Indigenous women from the Chuquisaca region into the tara value chain, a small local tree with multiple economic and environmental uses.
Through Socodevi Farmer Field Schools, these producers will strengthen their agricultural practices, collective organization, and ability to generate sustainable income from their production. The project will also lead to the planting of 48,000 additional tara seedlings, contributing to the economic and environmental resilience of rural communities.
Economic empowerment and the development of female leadership—key priorities for both Socodevi and the United Kingdom’s cooperation—are central to this initiative. The project also builds on the associative model led by Anaprod and Boltrade, a company created with Socodevi’s support and owned by tara-producing families. This model has proven successful within SAYARIY and could be replicated in other regions of Bolivia.
Through this new partnership, Socodevi continues its long-term work: strengthening collective enterprises, supporting robust cooperative economic models, and enabling communities to build their prosperity in an autonomous and sustainable way.
About the British Embassy La Paz
The British Embassy in La Paz maintains and strengthens relations between the United Kingdom and Bolivia. It also provides services to British citizens living in or visiting Bolivia.
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Strengthening Financial Inclusion in Northern Ghana
Socodevi, in partnership with the World Food Programme (WFP) and with financial support from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), is implementing a new project across the five northern regions of Ghana. Its goal: the creation, strengthening, and digitalization of 420 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs).
Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are small groups made up of community members who pool their money to save together and provide small loans. They operate without banks: rules are transparent and decided by the group. This enables members—especially women—to access savings, credit, and greater financial security.
Over a 15month period, this mandate will strengthen the economic empowerment of women, youth, and rural households by improving their access to savings, credit, and appropriate financial management tools. It builds on the significant results of a successful first collaboration between Socodevi and WFP, particularly in financial literacy and VSLA structuring.
A key innovation of the project lies in the progressive digitalization of VSLAs, improving transparency, data traceability, and the financial resilience of groups, while facilitating their integration into more formal financial ecosystems.
This strategic partnership reflects the shared commitment of Socodevi, WFP and KOICA to promoting sustainable and inclusive solutions that contribute to food security, poverty reduction, and local economic development in the most vulnerable areas of Ghana.
About the World Food Programme (WFP)
The World Food Programme (WFP) operates in more than 120 countries and territories, providing lifesaving assistance in emergency situations. It uses food assistance to pave the way toward peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disaster, or the impacts of climate change.
About KOICA
Since 1991, the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) has been responsible for aid programs aimed at poverty reduction and socioeconomic development in developing countries.
