Empowering Communities for a Sustainable Future
At CDF Canada, we believe that sustainable development is built on a foundation of economic resilience, environmental sustainability, and gender equality—key pillars that drive long-term progress. By harnessing the power of co-operatives and credit unions, we provide communities with the tools, knowledge, and financial access they need to build strong, self-sustaining economies.
Our approach ensures that local leaders and entrepreneurs are equipped to drive their own development, creating solutions that are rooted in community needs, environmentally responsible, and built to last. Through co-operative partnerships, financial inclusion, and innovative climate-smart initiatives, we help people strengthen their livelihoods, adapt to global challenges, and create lasting impact for future generations.

Empowering Women Through Co-operative Strength
In the rural community of Cerro Azul, Colombia, seven women transformed their futures through co-operation. With support from the IMPACT ACC-GESTANDO project—a collaboration between CDF Canada and Colombian co-operatives—these women turned dairy production into a sustainable livelihood. Through their local association, ASOGANABOL, they not only produced artisanal Cerro Azul semi-mature cheese but also secured economic independence in a region deeply affected by conflict and displacement.
Led by Luisa Fernanda Padilla, a 23-year-old co-operative leader, this initiative embodied the power of co-ops helping co-ops—where shared knowledge, mentorship, and solidarity opened new economic opportunities. CDF Canada played a key r
ole in strengthening ASOGANABOL’s business strategy, improving food safety standards, and fostering gender equity within the value chain. These women sold their cheese in local markets, with aspirations to expand into larger retail chains.
By investing in co-operative development, we helped build sustainable, community-led solutions—where women, families, and entire communities thrived through the power of working together.

Cultivating Resilience: Victory Gardens in Ukraine
In Ukraine, communities grappling with food supply disruptions and economic instability are turning to a time-honored solution—Victory Gardens. With support from CDF Canada, these small-scale, high-yield gardens are more than just a means of survival; they are a testament to the power of cooperation in times of crisis. By working together through cooperative networks, families are sharing knowledge, pooling resources, and strengthening local food systems, ensuring that communities remain nourished and resilient.
At the heart of CDF Canada’s mission is the belief that cooperatives build stronger, more sustainable futures—and initiatives like Victory Gardens in Ukraine exemplify this principle in action. When co-ops support co-ops, communities not only recover, they thrive. By fostering innovative, community-led solutions like Victory Gardens, we are not just addressing immediate food insecurity—we are investing in long-term sustainability and economic independence for generations to come.
Because when communities stand together, they don’t just survive. They grow.