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For small coffee farmers in remote parts of Laos, finding buyers who pay a fair price can feel almost impossible. That's why many of them join cooperatives. On the fertile Bolovens Plateau in southern Laos, the CPC cooperative buys the harvests of around 700 coffee farmers. Thanks to the cooperative, its producers have been able to improve the quality of their coffee, gain access to fair trade markets, and in the process, transform their livelihoods.

Thirty years ago, Rikolto helped found Alterfin, responding to the huge lack of financing for small-scale farms. And today? Alterfin’s model remains (unfortunately) nearly unique in the financial world, says Caterina Giordano, Chief Impact Officer at Alterfin. At the same time, Chris Claes, Director of Rikolto, sees that a clear shift in mentality has taken place in agriculture and food.

How can we reawaken a sense of hope in the current political climate? Benoît De Waegeneer, General Secretary of Humundi (formerly SOS Faim), and Caterina Giordano, Chief Impact Officer at Alterfin, discuss this issue in this joint interview. And they seem to agree on the answer: people must be given the means to act. The interview was also an opportunity to look back on the 30-year synergies between our organizations, both of which are committed to the agricultural transition and solidarity financing.

In western Côte d’Ivoire, the cooperative SOCAK KATANA had everything needed to succeed: committed producers, a growing membership base, and an ambitious first export contract. All signs seemed green. All... except one: access to financing.

In a world facing urgent social and environmental challenges, Alterfin’s mission has never been more relevant. For over 30 years, we have remained committed to the same goal: supporting social enterprises, empowering communities, and financing positive change around the world.

One of the most moving moments while celebrating 30 years of impact was undoubtedly the conversation with Dimitri Moreels (CEO) and Berthinic Kikwaya (Operations Manager) of COPAK – our partner since 2018, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their mission goes far beyond producing fair trade cocoa and chocolate. It’s about strengthening local communities in one of the world’s most fragile regions.

2025 is the International Year of Cooperation: the perfect moment to put the power of cooperation in the spotlight. So, this year, we are highlighting other Belgian cooperatives who are working towards a human economy. In this issue, we focus on Hefboom.

This year marks the United Nations’ International Year of Cooperatives. An excellent opportunity to shine a light on some Belgian cooperatives that, like us, are working toward a better world.

On April 26, our General Assembly (GA) was held, followed by a festive event open to everyone to celebrate Alterfin’s 30th anniversary.