In Brazil DGRV offers support through two different projects. One financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and one financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
In Brazil, DGRV’s work focuses on promoting sustainable cooperatives, particularly in the regions of Pará (Amazon) and northern Paraná. The aim is to strengthen disadvantaged population groups – especially smallholder farmers – by improving access to markets and enabling the generation and use of community-based renewable energy at affordable prices.
The country is home to 4,384 cooperatives, representing 25.8 million members. These organizations generated over 578,000 direct jobs and recorded approximately 141 billion USD in revenue. Cooperatives continue to play a vital role in strengthening local economies, promoting sustainable development, and fostering inclusive prosperity throughout more than 64% of Brazil’s territory.
DGRV supports cooperatives in the development of their internal structures. This includes training and advisory services to improve management and administration, as well as the creation of participatory and sustainable business models – for example, for the marketing of agricultural products and the production of clean energy. Cooperation between organizations is also encouraged to build strong and collaborative networks.
In the field of cooperative energy, DGRV promotes initiatives for the production, access and use of renewable energy. These cooperatives empower citizens to actively participate in the energy transition, for example by enabling collective projects that would be unfeasible individually, or by producing clean energy at more affordable rates. They also play a key role in raising awareness and fostering greater public engagement with renewable energy and sustainability issues. Relevant information is collected and shared via the platform www.energia.coop.
The project also supports savings and credit cooperatives in developing sustainable financial products and green credit lines tailored to rural production and energy communities.
At national level, DGRV works closely with the Brazilian Organization of Cooperatives (OCB) and its training and advisory arm SESCOOP. The goal is to improve the institutional and regulatory framework for cooperatives and to strengthen the cooperative sector through dialogue and collaboration.
A central concern of the project is to promote gender equality and youth participation. Through a combination of training, advisory services and international exchange, the project contributes to several goals of the 2030 Agenda.
Our Project in Brazil contributes to several Sustainable Development Goals, especially:
Dr. Matthias Arzbach
Camila Japp
Silvio Giusti
Monica Lehmann
Priscilla Orsi
The OCB is the umbrella organisation for cooperatives in Brazil. Its aim is to create a favourable environment for the development of Brazilian cooperatives through political and institutional representation.
It works in the field of renewable energies as an opportunity for the co-operative sector and for the participation of citizens in energy production.
https://somoscooperativismo.coop.br/ocb
OCB Pará is the regional office of the Organisation of Brazilian Cooperatives (OCB) responsible for cooperatives in the state of Pará, in northern Brazil.
It is the local partner that implements, with the support of the DGRV, actions to strengthen agricultural cooperatives and networks.
SESCOOP is a cooperative sector organisation linked to OCB in the areas of training and technical advice, with the mission of promoting the cooperative culture and improving management for the development of Brazilian cooperatives.
Together with the support of the DGRV, it implements the Programme with agricultural cooperatives with its strategy focused on the northern region of Brazil (Pará).
https://somoscooperativismo.coop.br/sescoop
SICREDI Paranapanema is a savings and credit cooperative operating in the north of the state of Paraná and southwest of the state of São Paulo and its mission is to transform the lives of its members and the regions where it operates.
With the support of the DGRV, it runs the “Juntos – Redes Productivas” (‘Together – Productive Networks’) program with agricultural associations and cooperatives in its area of operation.
German Business Center – AHK São Paulo
Rua Verbo Divino, 1488 – 3º andar
CEP: 04719-904 São Paulo-SP
Brasil
F. +55 11 5187-5104
saopaulo@dgrv.coop
Across six countries in Latin America, DGRV implements the project “LAC E-Coop: Piloting Green Finance to Promote Community-based Clean Energy Solutions” (2024–2027), funded by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
The concept: long-standing partners of DGRV—savings and credit cooperatives (SACCOs)—are empowered to finance renewable energy investments. DGRV, as IDB’s selected implementation partner, provides tailored advisory services to ensure green loans are effective and sustainable.
Through this approach, rural communities and smallholder groups gain access to affordable financing for productive uses such as solar-powered irrigation or energy-efficient agricultural processing. DGRV leverages its expertise and strong cooperative network across Latin America to design practical solutions. Advisory services accompany borrowers before and during financing, reducing risks and maximizing impact.
This initiative strengthens cooperative structures, promotes climate resilience, and accelerates the transition to clean energy in rural areas.
In Brazil, the project collaborates with energy cooperatives and producer groups linked to the credit cooperative Paranapanema, part of the Sicredi network in Paraná. These groups access green loans for solar energy used in productive activities. DGRV supports them with training in business management, legal compliance, and financial literacy.
Latin America In Costa Rica, DGRV works to strengthen the cooperative sector as part of the country’s broader social economy. The focus lies on helping cooperatives contribute more effectively to sustainable development, especially in relation to the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Costa Rica is home to 540 cooperatives across various economic sectors. Out of a population […]
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Latin America In the Dominican Republic, DGRV’s work focuses on strengthening cooperatives in the financial and agricultural sectors, particularly in rural areas in the north and south of the country. The objective is to improve the economic and financial inclusion of small-scale producers, women, youth, and other vulnerable groups. The country is home to around 2,300 cooperatives, […]
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Latin America In Ecuador, DGRV works across the country to strengthen the cooperative sector, with a particular focus on financial cooperatives. To foster financial inclusion, the project supports savings and credit cooperatives in delivering innovative, high-quality products and services to their members and clients. Special emphasis is placed on sustainable financing and promoting gender equality. The country […]
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