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On Saturday, 25 April 2026, from 2:00 PM onwards, let’s meet at Comet Meetings Louise in Brussels for a key moment in our cooperative life. We invite you to an afternoon to understand, feel, and question what finance can truly change — in people’s lives, in communities, and in the future.

In 2026, the International Year of the Woman Farmer brings overdue attention to a reality that has shaped agrifood systems for generations: women are central to agriculture. Yet their access to land, finance and decision-making remains unequal.

Cocoa sits at the centre of Côte d’Ivoire’s rural economy. It provides income to millions of smallholder farmers, yet it remains a fragile livelihood. Price volatility, climate risks, delayed payments and limited access to finance continue to shape daily uncertainty for farming households.

Microfinance plays a vital role in Nicaragua’s economic and social development, especially in rural communities where traditional banking services remain out of reach. Over the past decades, the sector has grown significantly, with a strong focus on group lending and social responsibility.

Thirty years ago, Alterfin began with a simple but demanding idea: money should serve people — not the other way around. At the time, this was not a slogan. It was a choice. And it was a cooperative choice.

After the retroactive abolition of tax reduction, Alterfin is introducing 'Human Yield': a transparency model that translates investments in microfinance and sustainable agriculture into measurable socio-economic outcomes.

Everyone agrees that investing should pay off. But while most lending institutions stop at financial returns, Alterfin is primarily interested in human yield: the “human return” on its investments.

In the Philippines, Kennemer Foods works hand in hand with nearly 20,000 smallholder farmers to transform local agriculture. Understanding the dynamics of the land, building trust with communities, and relying on a network of “Cacaopreneurs” - this is their strategy to spread virtuous farming practices… and reap the benefits.

‍Thanks to the incredible commitment of our engaged co-op members, including the ones who joined us during this campaign, our solidarity initiative celebrating Alterfin’s 30th anniversary has been a true triumph!