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CADESA: sustainable cocoa production, guaranteeing chocolate for years to come

In Belgium, chocolate is a part of everyone’s daily life. This delicious treat can be found in every cupboard. A huge range of products is available, sold everywhere from supermarkets to Belgium’s famous chocolate shops. Indeed, consumers may well assume that its production is consistent and stable. However, passionate industry advocates have warned of threats to quality cocoa production for several years. Various issues have been widely discussed, including climate change, growing global demand (with Asian countries among chocolate’s new consumers), and local economic reasons. The cocoa

Ananas Anam: a leather made with plant fibers

Alterfin is proud to introduce one of its new partners in the textile industry: Ananas Anam UK. Founded in England in 2013, Ananas Anam UK is a company that has developed a sustainable textile made with pineapple leaves. These leaves are usually discarded, burned, or partially used for composting. Production begins by extracting fibers from pineapple leaves. These fibers are cleaned and dried before being pressed in the Philippines: they will become the raw material. The fibers are then biologically coated in several stages in a specialized plant in Spain. The finished textile is then sold to

SCEB during the Covid-19 pandemic

In these times of crisis, SCEB has upheld its commitment to the health of its farmers. The cooperative distributed hygiene kits to all its members to ensure that local communities can meet the necessary standards to fight the pandemic. This donation was made using part of the Fairtrade bonus from SPP certification. The current health crisis should not prevent the cooperative from exporting the expected volumes of cocoa, thus ensuring a source of income for its members with the help of Alterfin’s funding. Find out more about SCEB You can also find out how CADESA another Ivorian partner within

SCEB: a unique organic cooperative in the Bandama region

The story of SCEB, the acronym for Société Coopérative Equitable du Bandama or the Fairtrade Cooperative Company of the Bandama Region, began in 2006 when ten cocoa producers refused to be underpaid and gradually left their commercial organization. With the help of two NGOs, they joined forces with Ethiquable, which supports their work of producing certified Fairtrade and organic cocoa, a first in Côte d’Ivoire! The cooperative was officially founded in 2010 with 38 producers. At first, producing organic cocoa was not easy in a country dominated by intensive farming. However, farmers’

CADESA during the Covid-19 pandemic

In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, CADESA has used a part of its Fairtrade bonus to purchase and distribute 400 small water tanks and soap to all its members, and has distributed food to its most vulnerable members. In addition to distributing these items, it organized training sessions to help local communities learn about and implement the necessary safety measures to contain the pandemic. Events like these are necessary to raise awareness, particularly in the remote and rural areas where CADESA operates and where local authorities’ actions are very limited. A positive example of local

Vacancy: Legal & Compliance Officer (M/F/X)

About Alterfin Alterfin is a cooperative company that aims to promote sustainable development and improve living conditions of socially and economically deprived people and communities worldwide by financing microfinance and sustainable agriculture in low and low middle income countries. The Alterfin team consists of 23 employees and 7 external consultants working in different countries. You will report to the Legal & Compliance Manager; together, you will form Alterfin's Legal and Compliance Team. About the position As Alterfin's Legal and Compliance Officer, you are the first point of

Fiscal Advantage - Renewal of Recognition as a Development Fund

Since 2010, Alterfin is as a Development Fund in Microfinance recognised by the Belgian Ministry of Finance. Since then, anyone investing in Alterfin's shares and meeting the conditions has enjoyed a capped 5% tax reduction . This approval was given for a period of five years. We received confirmation of the renewal of this agreement for Alterfin until 2024. The tax benefit for our members has thus also been extended until 2024 . In practical terms, this represents a financial advantage for our members (who satisfy the conditions). Above all, though, it means more resources for Alterfin,

A message of solidarity

As we experience an unprecedented global health pandemic, Alterfin remains true to its mission in a responsible manner. All members of our team now work from home and respect the containment rules issued by the authorities. In these difficult times, I want to send you a message of solidarity on behalf of the whole team. Solidarity with all of you who have contracted COVID-19, solidarity with all of you who are part of the population at risk, solidarity with all medical personnel and with all those who continue to assume their responsibilities for the good functioning of our society.

Canaan: mission accomplished!

The evolving relationship between Alterfin and Canaan is a perfect example of what Alterfin has been trying to achieve for the past 25 years: making the difference for organisations involved with small farmers by providing them with adequate funding for their development when local sources of financing are beyond their reach. Then Alterfin coaches them throughout the process, playing the role of a catalyst so that in time they will no longer need our support. Canaan, a fair trade olive oil processing and export company located in Palestine, was founded in 2004 by anthropologist Dr Nasser

FDL and Alterfin, a partnership lasting more than 20 years

It is time to turn the spotlight on a partnership especially close to our hearts. Beyond the financial investment, it is an investment that typifies Alterfin’s values in its constant search for partnerships that make sense in a society where humanity is increasingly factored out of the equation. Alterfin insists on emphasising its principles and strong commitments through its financing projects, so it is a pleasure for us to return to the story of a rich and eventful partnership that has lasted for more than 20 years. The Fondo para el Desarrollo Local (Fund for Local Development) or FDL, a

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