International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is an international financial institution and a specialized agency of the United Nations dedicated exclusively to transforming agriculture, rural economies, and food systems. Our mission is to invest in rural communities that are often among the poorest and most vulnerable in the world[3].

IFAD is committed to combating poverty and hunger in rural areas of developed and developing countries. We believe that empowering rural people is key to sustainable development. Our work focuses on providing rural people with the resources and opportunities they need to improve their living conditions and promote their economic independence[3].

• Financing and advisory: IFAD provides financing and technical support for projects aimed at increasing agricultural productivity, improving market access, and enhancing the resilience of rural communities to climate change and other shocks.
• Capacity building: We support the development of skills and institutions in rural areas to promote sustainable and inclusive development.
• Policy and advocacy: IFAD works closely with governments, international organizations, and local communities to create policy frameworks that support rural development.

IFAD is strongly committed to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Here are some of our key initiatives:

• Climate change and environment: We support rural communities in adapting to climate change and addressing environmental issues such as droughts, storms, and floods. IFAD promotes sustainable agricultural practices and the conservation of natural resources[3].
• Gender equality: IFAD advocates for the empowerment of women in agriculture and rural economies, as we believe that gender equality is a crucial factor for sustainable development.
• Crisis response: We respond to global crises such as the war in Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic by providing support to rural communities that are particularly affected by these events[3].

IFAD is implementing a variety of projects aimed at improving the lives of rural people. One example is the project in Morocco, where a women's cooperative supports apple farmers in reducing harvest losses by producing vinegar. Such initiatives demonstrate how IFAD promotes innovative solutions to empower rural communities and improve their economic situation[3].

• 1 - https://www.ifad.org/en/who-we-are
• 2 - https://www.mafonavigator.de/unternehmen/anderer-service-anbieter/ifad-231/
• 3 - https://www.ifad.org/en/
• 4 - https://www.ifad.org/documents/38714170/39211820/IFAD+AT+A+GLANCE_G.pdf/569ec593-4d97-418a-81c2-c5b60f87b7b1
• 5 - https://www.iasplus.com/de/resources/global-organisations/ifad