History and Mandate

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. Originally called Kooperation Utan Gränser/ Swedish Cooperative Centre, the organisation changed its name to We Effect in 2013. We Effect joined AgriCord in 2004, mandated by the Federation of Swedish Farmers (LRF). 

Mission, Vision and Approach

We Effect works together with partner organisations to enable women and men living in poverty to improve their living conditions, defend their rights, and contribute to a just society.

Its vision is a sustainable and just world, free from poverty. 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:

• Sustainable rural development, 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.