It’s about People.
It’s about harnessing the Power of Co-operation.
At CDF, people are at the centre of all that we do. When people reach out to help through CDF, the benefits flow both ways.
A credit union manager in Halifax mentors a loans manager from Malawi- Inspired by her overseas visitor, the credit union manager studies a new language.
Canadian interns inspire young students in Kenya to save money - young interns admire how Kenyan students help their families prosper.
A Vancouver credit union manager helps a credit union board in Ghana - the Canadian credit union manager sees how much can be done with so little.
Every day, CDF is making a difference by harnessing the power of co-operation in the fight against poverty. CDF invests in people — for the return of a lifetime.
How We do it:
1. IDENTIFY A NEED
Food. Clothing. Shelter. Health Care. Education. The basics of life so often lacking where poverty prevails. Meeting those needs means identifying the right sustainable tools. Small business loans, collective marketing, co-op friendly laws, savings for the future. Tools that help people help themselves.
2. PARTNER WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
Local issues require local solutions. Through CCA, CDF works in partnership with co-operators and Credit Unions in Africa, Asia and the Americas. These ties enable us to target our assistance directly to and with those in need.
3. IMPLEMENT CHANGE. TOGETHER.
Person by person. Project by project. CDF and its partners build from the ground up. A sense of pride develops as entire communities have a stake in the success of their credit unions and co-operatives.
4. FOLLOW-UP
CDF and CCA follow the progress and provide further assistance when needed. Seeds of success spread outward as we share lessons learned with other communities in need. Local change for global impact.
CDF funded projects happen all over the world. With new co-op or credit union opportunities being identified, projects grow and change over time. As existing projects become autonomous and self-sufficient, new ones are created to give more opportunity to communities who want to learn.