Food and Forest Developement Finland (FFD)
FFD is a non-profit development organization that has supported producer organizations and cooperatives in agriculture and forestry in Africa, Asia, and Latin America since 2012. Our roots lie in the solidarity work initiated by MTK to support producers in developing countries. Our member organizations – MTK, SLC, Pellervo, and ProAgria – represent key actors in Finnish agriculture and forestry as well as rural development, providing FFD with a strong foundation for strengthening the vitality of rural areas.
FFD is a member of the AgriCord Alliance and has led the alliance’s climate work since 2018. FFD implements AgriCord’s strategy, which aims to reduce poverty by strengthening producer organizations and livelihoods. In 2023, we celebrated FFD’s 10th anniversary and at the same time published our anniversary publication. Read our publication here in Finnish or English.
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The core of our work is collaboration between producer organizations in developing countries, Finnish organizations, and experts. Producer organizations decide on their own priorities and working methods, while Finnish experts provide support both remotely and on the ground. FFD guides and monitors the implementation of activities in accordance with the agreements.
At the heart of FFD’s work is strengthening producer organizations, which is one of the most effective ways to improve the well-being of small-scale producers and rural households. Strong producer organizations are more innovative, entrepreneurial, and better equipped to represent and safeguard the interests of their members. They play a key role in promoting economic, social, and political development and can help stabilize societies in times of crisis. We strive to improve development in the food, water, and energy sectors by supporting producers’ capacity to use natural resources in a productive and sustainable manner.
Mitigating climate change and developing rural livelihoods are also central objectives of FFD’s work. Farmers play a significant role in climate change adaptation, and sustainable forestry and climate-smart agriculture are important elements of FFD’s projects. Improving rural well-being requires effective advisory services, access to credit, and access to markets—areas that FFD promotes by supporting producers and their enterprises.
The core of FFD’s theory of change is based on extensive experience in supporting more than 20 partner organizations in eight countries, with a focus on farmers’ democratic organization and, through this, the development of a more democratic society, stronger institutions, economic growth, and more equitable well-being—particularly for small-scale producers, women, and young people. The work emphasizes peer support, gender equality, environmental responsibility, economic and social sustainability, results, and impact. All of this is grounded in international commitments such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2030, and the promotion of human rights.
The most strategic Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for FFD, and those where FFD has the greatest impact.
