The RuSACCO capacity building project has been established to improve access to demand-driven financial services to smallholder farmers (SHFs) and rural communities by strengthening targeted rural savings and credit cooperatives (RuSACCOs) and unions in ACC woredas.
The scope of the project is primarily limited to ACC woredas, targeting SHFs and rural communities in these areas to access diversified financial services, which will increase their income and improve their livelihoods. The major investments of the project are the implementation of diagnostic tools, development of financial products, and procurement and provision of IT equipment—computers with printers—to enhance the operational efficiency of RuSACCOs. Training has been provided to 4,600 RCPA/WCPA members, NGOs, and RuSACCO union managers, loan officers, and accountants following the design of a curriculum and the development of corresponding manuals.
The key stakeholders are FCA, RCPA, RuSACCOs, and their unions. They are directly involved in the implementation of the project such as technical support, supervision, training, and reporting; Lead & participate in steering and technical committee at all levels (Federal, Regional, and woreda level).
– A capacity assessment and gap identification process using a diagnostic tool was conducted in 3,980 RuSACCOs. – To facilitate the implementation of diagnostics and improve the financial management of RuSACCOs, the project donated 120 laptops to SACCO unions. – A total of 913 RuSACCO employees received training to gain essential knowledge and skills in using diagnostic tools. The project also enhanced the leadership and managerial roles of board members through training and experience sharing. Training modules focusing on leadership and financial management were developed for RuSACCOs. These modules were subsequently delivered to both RuSACCOs and the cooperative sector within the government. – The expertise and competencies of employees across 3,980 Primary RuSACCOs, 120 RuSACCO Unions, and government experts were enhanced in operational policies, documentation, and information systems. – Operational policy manuals on risk management and asset-liability management were developed to support the internal operations of RuSACCOs. – Demand-driven financial products and services were developed for Ethiopia’s Rural Saving and Credit Cooperatives (RuSACCOs). Next steps: – The project aims to digitize SACCCO by establishing a shared service center (SSC)that includes the affiliated Primary RuSACCO. |