In 2023, Oikocredit faced a landscape marked by significant global challenges, yet emerged stronger and more connected. This past year was pivotal, not just in surmounting obstacles but in making substantial progress towards our social and financial goals. Our cooperative has successfully transitioned to a community-focused strategy and introduced a transformative capital-raising model, bringing us closer to the people and projects we support.

We've expanded our development financing portfolio, exceeded our impact targets, and deepened our commitment to empowering low-income communities in Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean. This newsletter highlights the stories of resilience and growth, from enhancing financial inclusion and supporting sustainable projects to advancing our groundbreaking client self-perception survey project. This initiative continues to provide invaluable insights into the real impact of our work on the lives of our partners' end-clients.

Join us as we reflect on a year of meaningful change and steadfast dedication to our mission of creating a fairer, more sustainable world.

Pictured at the top: Isabel Franco, deputy manager for operations in Colombia and Ecuador at Oikocredit partner Caravela Coffee, is an engineer who brought her enthusiasm from the food industry to the specialty coffee trade.

At Caravela, she plays a crucial role in supporting approximately 4,000 smallholders, enhancing their livelihoods through better market access and improved coffee quality.

Isabel appreciates Caravela’s commitment to community and diversity. Her work emphasises direct interaction with farmer families, fostering strong community connections and promoting inclusivity.