Member Spotlight: Solidaridad West Africa Supports Cocoa Communities

GNBCC member Solidaridad West Africa, in partnership with Tropenbos Ghana, has disbursed $180,000 in revolving funds to 18 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) across six Hotspot Intervention Areas under the World Bank-funded Enhancing Access to Benefits while Lowering Emissions (EnABLE) Programme.

The initiative supports vulnerable groups in rural cocoa communities, including women, youth, migrants and persons with disabilities, by improving access to finance and strengthening climate-resilient livelihoods. Each beneficiary VSLA received $10,000, alongside training in financial management, record-keeping, leadership and loan administration.

The programme directly engages approximately 20,000 farmers across 100 communities, strengthening community financial systems while promoting sustainable cocoa production and forest conservation. By improving economic opportunities and access to finance, the initiative also aims to reduce pressure on forest resources and discourage activities such as illegal farming, chainsaw operations and illegal mining.

The funds are community-owned resources, with Solidaridad West Africa and Tropenbos Ghana providing technical support and monitoring to promote transparency, accountability and effective use of the funds.

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