Ukrainian Credit Unions Receive First Tranche of $1 Million to Increase Agricultural Lending

MADISON, Wis.—USAID and Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions released an initial disbursement from a $1 million liquidity fund to the Ukrainian United Credit Union (UUCU), the central financing facility for 54 Ukrainian credit unions, to help partner credit unions address liquidity constraints and support increased agricultural lending.

This first tranche of funding follows the signing of an April 12 agreement between UUCU and the Worldwide Foundation, World Council of Credit Union’s (WOCCU) charitable and engagement arm.

Many credit unions working with agricultural and rural micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) are seeking additional liquidity to meet the demand for loans from agricultural producers, which are in more need than ever for affordable and timely credit resources to support ongoing spring, summer and fall agricultural activities. Demand for agribusiness loans remains higher than supply, with the gap widening due to challenges brought forth by the COVID-19 pandemic and the worsening economic conditions in Ukraine. This first tranche of funding will help agricultural and rural MSMEs increase competitiveness and farm productivity to overcome the current challenges caused by both the pandemic and economic decline in the country.

“Expanding a credit union’s ability to serve more members and existing members better is part of our purpose to help transform a billion member lives worldwide,” said Mike Reuter, Executive Director of Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions. “Our partnership with the USAID-funded CAP Project and the UUCU is another example of cooperating creatively to provide credit unions with the resources they need to serve members in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The USAID-funded CAP project will continue to monitor the utilization of the Liquidity Fund throughout the year and hopes to expand the number of credit unions that can access funding once the second tranche is disbursed toward the end of 2021.

The Worldwide Foundation for Credit Unions is the partner organization to the World Council, established to advance the shared vision of expanding financial inclusion through a vibrant and growing global credit union system. Join us on a global journey to transform a billion lives worldwide using credit unions. Visit www.doglobalgood.org to start your journey today.

World Council of Credit Unions is the global trade association and development platform for credit unions. World Council promotes the sustainable development of credit unions and other financial cooperatives around the world to empower people through access to high quality and affordable financial services. World Council advocates on behalf of the global credit union system before international organizations and works with national governments to improve legislation and regulation. Its technical assistance programs introduce new tools and technologies to strengthen credit unions' financial performance and increase their outreach.

World Council has implemented 300+ technical assistance programs in 90 countries. Worldwide, 82,758 credit unions in 97 countries serve 404 million people. Learn more about World Council's impact around the world at www.woccu.org.