We Effect

We Effect was founded in 1958 to support the development of democratic organisations and societies that have the capacity to articulate the rights and needs of their members in respect of work, influence, services, incomes and livelihoods.

We Effect works in 20 countries in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa through our regional offices in partnership with local CSO, farmer organisations, cooperative federations and other democratic organisations.

We Effect applies a human rights-based approach in its international development cooperation programmes, assisting people living in poverty to secure their rights and entitlement to adequate living conditions and broad empowerment.

We Effect targets women in partner organisations to secure them the same rights and entitlements as men, especially to own and control land and access to financial resources.

The core strategy is to strengthen cooperatives of women and men living in poverty through membership-based democracy, long-term economic thinking, social responsibility and transparency.

The target groups are partner organisations and their existing and potential members. Partner organisations include farmer organisations, housing cooperatives, and savings and credit association. Strategic partnerships are established with expert organisations involved in human rights, academia and advocacy.

Two main thematic fields are pursued:

• Right to food, including support for farmers’ own organisations, organisational and business development, advocacy, technical advice, sustainable farming and food production training and adaptation to climate change.
• Adequate housing, including support for cooperative housing organisations, advocacy and technical advice and education and training.