Accelerating learning and impact with the Agri-SME Learning Collective
Small Foundation is excited to share that we have entered a new partnership with the Agri-SME Learning Collective (ASLC), aimed at enhancing learning, evidence, and collaboration within the agricultural SME finance sector. This collaboration will improve knowledge flow and coordination, to support practitioners, donors and policymakers to build a thriving sector that delivers greater social and environmental impact.
The agricultural SME sector has significant gaps when it comes to existing industry evidence. Facing a lack of rigorous analytical studies, practitioners often derive insights from historical experience, anecdotal case studies, or evidence from related sectors. While direct evidence is mostly missing, research that is produced is often underutilised. The ASLC was formed in response to these challenges, aiming to improve stakeholder learning, evidence-building, and sector influence.
The vision of the ASLC is to generate and facilitate new learning, using this knowledge to create sector benchmarks and inform sector projects— especially regarding catalytic capital, farmer livelihoods and capacity building. A key objective is to influence funding flows, particularly the allocation of concessional capital, and provide recommendations for stronger enabling policies.
Currently the ASLC comprises 20 member institutions, including industry alliances, sector facilitators, donors, research organisations and others. Members actively participate and contribute to several workstreams, shaping the methodologies of new learning products through the ASLC lens. They also aim to produce research to fill critical evidence gaps in the sector and to influence existing work being led by others. The ASLC is housed at the Council on Smallholder Agricultural Finance.
The ASLC represents a significant step forward in fostering collaboration, generating learning, sharing insights and driving progress. We hope this partnership will drive significant advancements in the agricultural SME finance sector for a more sustainable and impactful agricultural landscape. For more information about the partnership and how to get involved, please contact Eda Dokle (edokle@csaf.org).
