Peru

In Peru, DGRV works to strengthen cooperatives in the financial and agricultural sectors, with a particular focus on improving access to sustainable value chains and ensuring the competitiveness and long-term viability of cooperative structures.

The country is home to 1,245 cooperatives, representing 2.4 million members. Around 22% of these cooperatives are located in rural areas, and the sector is largely shaped by small-scale entrepreneurship—over 90% of cooperatives are classified as micro or small enterprises. The project in Peru addresses the key challenges faced by cooperatives in both sectors, aiming to support inclusive economic development and sustainable growth.

In collaboration with national institutions, the project provides advisory support on regulatory and supervisory matters, particularly in the financial sector. This includes helping cooperatives adapt to the legal framework introduced for agricultural cooperatives in 2019. In agriculture, the focus lies on improving conditions for cooperatives and their producer members by promoting access to financing and support programs.

To enhance the services offered by cooperative networks, the project works with federations and central cooperatives (central offices) in the financial sector. Key areas of support include integrated risk management, strategic and financial planning, cooperative social balance, microcredit, and digital readiness. In the agricultural sector, DGRV strengthens the service portfolio of the Central Agroandina del Perú (CAAP). These efforts target staff within federations and central offices, ensuring that support structures are equipped to meet member needs.

At the local level, the projects’ target groups are the members of individual cooperatives and other forms of member-based collaboration. Final beneficiaries include micro-enterprises in rural and marginalized urban regions, with a special emphasis on family producers, women, and young people.