Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLA)
The Cocoa Horizons Foundation supports the establishment and operation of more than 1,400 Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) across the seven countries where we are present.
VSLAs are sort of “mini banks” that enable pooling savings and raising resources to improve family’s livelihood or to fund household needs. VSLAs have an overarching role spreading across all our pillars: income diversification, community projects for income generating activities (IGA), knowledge sharing, women empowerment and child protection.
By providing communities with access to financial services such as savings and credit, it can enable first steps towards economic empowerment. Access to income-generating activities can offer access to the workforce, as well as strengthen resilience when faced with major crises. Around 70 percent of the members of the VSLAs are women. Through financial independence, women gain more power and self-confidence to make decisions that affect their future.
The Cocoa Horizons Foundation supports the establishment and capacity building of VSLAs fostering economic stability and household resilience.
In 2024/25 VSLAs in the Cocoa Horizons supply chain saved CHF 3.8 million, with CHF 2.1 million reinvested in education, farm and household needs.