Global network for capacity building to increase access of small-scale fisheries to financial services (CAFI SSF Network)

Webinar on ‘Guidelines for microfinance and credit services in support of small-scale fisheries’

The FAO-initiated and -supported ‘Global network for capacity building to increase access of small-scale fisheries to financial services’ (CAFI-SSF Network) organized the first webinar on 8 April 2021 on the ‘Guidelines for microfinance and credit services in support of small-scale fisheries’, in association with its regional partners AFRACA (African Rural and Agricultural Credit Association) and  APRACA (Asia -Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association). More than 60 stakeholders joined the webinar from various regions including policy makers, fisher-folk organizations and financial service providers.

The primary objective for organizing this webinar was to engage and involve key financial service providers and increase the understanding of the sector’s unique business characteristics. While there is experience in the provision of microfinance and credit services to rural economies, access to financial services is still a challenge for coastal and inland small-scale fisheries communities as compared to small-holding agricultural farming communities.

The SSF Guidelines recognize the limitations in financial access and the dearth of investments in the small-scale fisheries sector and call upon States to support access of small-scale fishing communities to savings, credit, and insurance schemes. The CAFI-SSF Network aims to facilitate the availability and access to finance and insurance for small-scale fisheries by building the capacity of policy makers, financial service providers and fisher folk organizations. The Network additionally aims to support integrated and economic development and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with respect to Goal 14, Life Below Water, and particularly target 14.b, Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets.

The CAFI-SSF Network plans to organize more of these webinars throughout 2021. To know more about the network, write to CAFI-SSF Network Coordinator: [email protected] or [email protected].