JACKSONVILLE, FL. –VyStar Credit Union recently participated in the Worldwide Foundation of Credit Union’s (WFCU) Global Bridges program, which connects networks across the World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) and WFCU to advance solutions to shared global challenges.
Participants from the Global Bridges Economic Inclusion Project (EIP) study tour in Ecuador engaged with several national organizations, including the superintendence of the Popular and Solidarity Economy, and the Financial Policy and Regulation Board, among others.
“The project connects Venezuelan migrants and low-income locals to financial services, employment, and entrepreneurship,” VyStar said. “The study tour gave participants the opportunity to explore Ecuador’s distinctive approach to the credit union system and learn how the EIP is establishing successful accessibility programs worldwide.”
Highlights included visits to cooperatives in Quito, Cuenca, Mitad del Mundo and Latacunga. VyStar joined representatives from Virginia Credit Union, Carolina Foothills, Financial Center Federal Credit Union, and OneAZ Credit Union.
“We are grateful to the United States Agency for International Development and our partners for the opportunity to build global relationships and share best practices with other credit union leaders,” AVP-Talent Management Beverly Winkler said in in a statement. “It was exciting to learn about Ecuador’s unique approach to helping women entrepreneurs form business partnerships with other artisans and the impact it has on their local communities.”
The Global Bridges program was developed in 2020 as a way to create a global experience for credit unions from different nations to share best practices and learn from each other.