Annual Learning Event 2024

Event

Overview

Welcome to ICRG’s Annual Learning Event (ALE). Every year, with the support of USAID’s Cooperative Development Program (CDP), the ICRGco-creates a participatory learning event for all CDP implementers and selected partners. This year’s focus is on Cooperative Finance, and we will explore together the limitations and potential of the cooperative business model, options available, and the ways that finance affects the outcomes of every CDP project.

The ALE creates a safe space for CDOs to share experiences and learn from each other’s successes and challenges encountered. This mutual learning approach also draws upon data, evidence and expert knowledge provided through material made available before and during the event as well as through presentations by external experts in the field of cooperative finance.

The specific objectives of the ALE are:

To increase each participant’s knowledge around the broad subject of cooperative finance.
To provide practical information and approaches applicable to each CDP implementer’s activities that support cooperatives as leaders of locally led development
To create synergies among CDP implementers.
To create opportunities for CDO networking and
To strengthen the sense of community among CDP implementers.

Financing for Cooperative Development

The theme of financing for sustainable cooperative development is discussing how project investment in capacity building, strengthening partnerships, will continue to operate and serve the cooperative community long after the end of the project .

Based on a robust dialogue at the Sept 19^th CG meeting, the consensus for this year’s ALE theme is the topic of finance. Our co-design discussions have helped to shape the meeting.

The learning approach for this ALE is to explore cooperative finance from 2 separate lenses:

The learning event is designed for CDOs to learn what they are doing, what is working, what is not, and how they are doing it. Discussion will include insights into what tools, models and frameworks are used to evaluate, assess, and train cooperatives and other stakeholders. As you talk about your efforts in financing cooperative development, we will have a flipchart on the wall where you can post (on a sticky note) the tools, frameworks, methodologies, etc. that you use in your work.