Strengthening Cooperative Finance in Honduras

Connecting Institutions Across Borders

The delegation included representatives from CONSUCOOP, the National Supervisory Council of Cooperatives in Honduras, and FACACH, the largest federation of cooperative financial institutions in Honduras. FACACH represents 78 savings and credit cooperatives with around 850,000 members—over half of them women.

Over the course of the week, the group visited five cities—Bonn, Montabaur, Heidelberg, Stuttgart, and Frankfurt—and met with eight institutions from Germany’s cooperative finance and energy sectors.

Mutual Learning and Shared Insights

The journey began at DGRV’s headquarters in Bonn, where participants received an introduction to the German cooperative model. A key topic was the implementation of a Deposit Protection Scheme for cooperative financial institutions in Honduras. The visit to the National Association of German Cooperative Banks (BVR) provided valuable insights into Germany’s systems, while also opening space for discussion on how similar mechanisms could be adapted to the Honduran context.

Regulation and supervision were explored in depth during meetings with the Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin) and the Cooperative Association of Baden-Württemberg (BWGV). These sessions offered opportunities for mutual learning on oversight mechanisms and institutional responsibilities.

A further important stop was at the DZ Bank in Frankfurt, the central institution of the German cooperative banking sector. Here, participants gained a deeper understanding of the role and functions of a central cooperative bank, while also sharing their own perspectives and needs from the Honduran context.

Investing in Future Leaders

At the Academy of German Cooperatives (ADG) in Montabaur, the delegation explored modern training programs for future cooperative leaders. Discussions focused on the growing demands placed on executives and supervisory board members, and the importance of continuous education to meet legal and ethical standards—an area of shared interest for both countries.

Sustainability in Action

In Heidelberg, the Volksbank Heidelberg showcased the wide range of services offered by a modern cooperative financial institution. The visit also included a presentation by the Bürgerwerke Heidelberg eG, an energy cooperative that demonstrated how cooperatives can drive the expansion of renewable energy and contribute to sustainability goals—sparking ideas for similar initiatives in Honduras.

Cooperatives Beyond Finance

A visit to the Untertürkheim Wine Cooperative illustrated how the cooperative model also thrives in agriculture, showing its versatility and impact across sectors.

In the closing feedback session, one participant summed up the experience by saying:
“Thank you very much, and the German cooperative institutions involved, for this internship of the highest level, so many experiences learned.”

Looking Ahead

CONSUCOOP, FACACH, and DGRV are confident that this technical exchange will advance the cooperative sector in Honduras. By engaging in mutual learning and collaboration, both sides have gained valuable insights that will help build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable financial ecosystem—one that empowers communities and strengthens the country’s economic future.