Through cooperative development in various countries, NCBA CLUSA is able to use co-op values to help create inclusive economies that prosper.
Our Approach
NCBA CLUSA applies cooperative principles and promotes cooperative business development to build wealth, economic power, and resilient communities in low- and middle-income countries. We are dedicated to developing strong, inclusive cooperatives that support equal participation, leadership, and agency among all women, men and youth.
Cooperative businesses can address local issues, such as market failures, and drive economic development. We have deep experience starting cooperatives from the grassroots level; supporting growing cooperatives to improve their governance structures and engage members; and forming innovative cooperative structures, such as joint ventures and apex organizations, to successfully access global markets.
We clear pathways for sustained cooperative development: we work with national governments and local organizations to realize positive regulatory environments that help cooperatives grow. Governments and firms around the world have looked to us to help create strong businesses in emerging markets for over 65 years.
Successful Projects
NCBA CLUSA aims to enhance cooperative development in the States and internationally by working with low- and middle-income families. Through our projects, many countries have benefitted from co-opting principles and created a more inclusive economy.
East Timor Agribusiness Development Project
This project ran from September 2013 to June 2019.
Through collaboration with the Cooperative Café Timor (CCT), this agriculture development project aimed to connect small-scale farmers in lowland regions in East Timor to global markets, ultimately bolstering trade and rural income. Small-scale farmers produced the following crops due to their high worldwide demand and suitability in the targeted region:
- Vanilla
- Cloves
- Black pepper
- Casava
- Cocoa
- Robusta coffee
Through this project, NCBA CLUSA helped establish 250 new nurseries and benefited 10,000 farmers. This project demonstrates the power of cooperatives to revolutionize export economies and change local markets, resulting in wide-reaching benefits in East Timor.
Creating an Environment for Cooperative Expansion
This project ran from August 2018 to August 2023.
NCBA CLUSA joined with private-sector partners, cooperative development organizations, local governments and other stakeholders to foster the growth of co-operatives in five countries:
- Madagascar
- Tanzania
- Kenya
- Peru
- Guatemala
By designing and campaigning for the enabling of cooperative frameworks, NCBA CLUSA was able to improve cooperative enabling environments. NCBA CLUSA also assisted in increasing member equity and, in doing so, improved the business performance of co-ops in these countries. NCBA CLUSA supplied learning and training materials to effectively support cooperatives.
The project trained 20,000 co-op members, and member equity reached five million dollars.
Also, read about our coffee rehabilitation project in El Salvador and how our funded white papers and convenings help identify co-ops’ social and economic benefits in building healthy communities in the USA.
