Leveraging German Cooperative Resources for Sustainable Impact in Brazil

Starting in 2026, for the first time, funds from the German cooperative organization can be contributed to a project implemented by the DGRV and financed by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The initiative spans eight countries in Latin America, with the GESTE Foundation covering part of the project costs in Brazil – a contribution that significantly increases the project's impact.

In the agricultural sector, the DGRV works with organizations of small-scale producers in the north and south of the country. Despite different framework conditions, they face similar challenges: access to sales and financial markets, as well as building stable, participatory structures. Thanks to GESTE's support, educational and advisory services for agricultural cooperatives and their networks can be financed to promote sustainable business models.

Young energy cooperatives also benefit from the project. Many are small, volunteer-led, and need support to professionalize and develop new business areas. With GESTE's help, the existing DGRV advisory program is being expanded and supplemented by specialized programs in Germany as well as short-term assignments of German experts to strengthen knowledge transfer. Particularly important is the exchange with the energy cooperative sector in Germany. In addition, a competence center for renewable energy in Latin America is being established in Brazil, enabling the exchange of experience with other countries in the region.