Supporting the Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN) to thrive and generate collaborative impact

Small Foundation is delighted to announce a new phase of partnership with the Smallholder and Agri-SME Finance and Investment Network (SAFIN), a global network advancing inclusive agri-SME finance. 

Examples of timely and relevant themes and issues that SAFIN members have engaged on over the past year include food systems, green finance, agri-SME COVID-era risk management, and digital innovations in agri-SME finance. 

Small Foundation’s core funding will support SAFIN’s evolution as it grows into its post-pilot phase, enabling the network to continue to convene, learn and organise for collaborative impact.  

SAFIN’s network members (known as Partners) are committed to aligning their efforts to scale up access to financial services for agri-SMEs and for small commercial farms. They are financial institutions, philanthropic foundations, social lenders, technical assistance providers, farmers’ organisations, and development finance organisations. Partners have signed up to a charter to underpin this phase of SAFIN’s development. 

SAFIN is led by a Steering Committee that represents the diversity of actors involved in the network and the broader ecosystem. The Steering Committee provides overall direction, monitors progress, and advises and supports the Secretariat on resource mobilisation.  

A Secretariat housed at IFAD plays a convening, facilitating, and championing role for the network and for the Steering Committee. 

This partnership is integral to Small Foundation’s overall portfolio of work supporting impact networks. Inspired by the work of Converge and David Ehrlichman, Small Foundation supports mission-aligned impact networks seeking to increase the effectiveness of rural-impacting small business ecosystems.  

You can learn more about SAFIN’s work via their website, and by signing up to their newsletter.