La Unión de Cajas Rurales del Occidente de Honduras (UCROH)
Public Statement 2016
| Title | Building Human Capacity in Rural Areas | |
| Type of organization | Community-base organization | |
| Country | Honduras | |
| Duration | Two years | |
| IAF Funding | $50,000 | |
| Counterpart Committed | US$ 56,000 (In cash: US$33,950; In kind: US$ 22,050) | |
| Number of direct & indirect beneficiaries |
Direct: 300 Indirect: 900 |
|
| Primary program areas | Economic development, economic inclusion | |
Organization
Unión de Cajas Rurales del Occidente de Honduras (UCROH) was founded in 2004 to support credit unions. It currently represents 10 of these organizations, serving more than 300 individuals across 18 rural communities, in four municipalities of Intibucá. Two representatives from each credit union form UCROH’s general assembly, which chooses a board of directors composed of seven locals, usually farmers, teachers, and merchants who serve for two years. UCROH’s achievements include: helping 90% of its credit unions to obtain legal status; promoting a comprehensive strategy to encourage savings among adults and children; contributing towards combined savings of more than $26,000 by its members. Prior financing comes from CIDICCO. Partners for this project include Asociación de Desarrollo Local de Intibucá (ADELI), Fundación para el Desarrollo Rural (FUNDER), and USAID-Acceso.
Development Objective
To strengthen rural credit unions in Intibucá, Honduras.
Project Description
The Unión de Cajas Rurales del Occidente de Honduras (UCROH), an umbrella organization of rural credit unions, cajas rurales, will provide loans and training in effective management to ensure the long-term sustainability of these cooperatives. It will also increase its membership in four municipalities in the department of Intibucá. Approximately 300 people will benefit directly and another 900 indirectly.
Rationale for Funding
The Centro Internacional de Información sobre Cultivos de Cobertura (CIDICCO), former IAF grantee (HO-251), created UCROH to promote savings and loans in rural areas. UCROH is a grassroots organization whose members predominately represent indigenous Lenca people from 18 communities. Executing this project will further build the organizational capacity of UCROH as it endeavors to develop the capacities of each of the 10 credit unions it serves.
Learning Opportunity
An analysis of this project may demonstrate how limited external support can promote the growth of savings and provide loans in small rural communities.