MADISON, Wis.—The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) is reporting that climate action donations from its 2023 World Credit Union Conference (WCUC) attendees will go toward a cooperative-owned initiative to restore and reforest 3,500 hectares (8,649 acres) of degraded pastureland in rural Colombia.
According to WOCCU, Cooperación Verde (Green Cooperation) was created through the direct investment of 48 cooperative organizations. About 80% of its shareholders are credit unions that belong to FECOLFIN, WOCCU’s direct member organization in Colombia, WOCCU added.
“It is a sustainable development program promoted by the Colombian cooperative sector that was founded in 2009, with the purpose of offering the planet a comprehensive program to mitigate climate change through the conservation and restoration of 1,000 hectares (2,471 acres) of riparian forest with native trees,” Cooperación Verde states on its website, as noted by the World Council.
Original Goal Surpassed
According to the organization, it has surpassed its original goal and now owns a total of 3,500 hectares (8,649 acres), where it provides a sustainable alternative to illegal logging by expanding employment in the area through sustainable agroforestry and related value chains, such as honey production and ecotourism.
“Through its restoration and agricultural activities, Cooperación Verde is also protecting habitats important for water resources and native animals,” the World Council said.
WOCCU said Thomas Belekevich, its director of member services, visited the Cooperación Verde property in early 2023.
‘Inspiring Example’
“This is an inspiring example of the potential for cooperation among cooperatives to address the shared challenges that we face globally,” said Belekevich. “By embracing nature-based solutions, Cooperación Verde is supporting a circular economy and creating new opportunities in the rural countryside. This is an area that was at the intersection of narcotrafficking and paramilitary violence for many years. Thanks to the direct investments from credit unions, there is hope for a brighter future. It’s a model for cooperative climate action that has tremendous potential for replication elsewhere.”
According to WOCCU, the upcoming gift to Cooperación Verde is just one example of WOCCU's continued commitment to promoting more equitable and resilient communities.
Still Time to Register
WOCCU added credit union professionals still planning to register for the 2023 World Credit Union Conference, to be held July 23-26, in Vancouver, Canada, can contribute to this effort by selecting the climate action donation option at checkout. Conference registration is open at wcuc.org.
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