Civil Society Organizations
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play a unique and critical role in GAFSP.
On the Steering Committee, CSO partners ensure that smallholder farmers’ voices, priorities, and interests are actively heard and reflected in the design, implementation, and monitoring of each project.
At the country level, they provide technical expertise, knowledge and capacity to ensure transparency and accountability and by implementing projects in a number of countries. Visiting project sites is crucial to informing the Steering Committee on the projects’ progress.
At global fora and conferences, CSO partners play a central role in advocating for GAFSP, for example, by raising awareness in eligible recipient countries and supporting ongoing fundraising efforts with donor governments.
CSO Representatives
The Steering Committee includes three CSO seats:
- Producer organizations in Africa
- Producer organizations in Asia
- Civil society in OECD countries
CSO representatives are chosen through a self-selection process managed through their respective networks.

ROPPA
Mr. Ibrahima Coulibaly
President, Réseau des Organisations Paysannes & de Producteurs de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (ROPPA)
bagna_djibo@yahoo.fr
Created in 2000, ROPPA is an initiative specific to farmers' organizations and agricultural producers in West Africa.
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AFA
Ms. Shazada Begum
Chairperson, Asian Farmers' Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA)
lyam.nlrf@gmail.com
Established in 2002, AFA is a regional alliance of national federations and organizations of small scale women and men farmers and producers.
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ActionAid USA
Ms. Alberta Guerra
Senior Policy Analyst,
ActionAid USA
alberta.guerra@actionaid.org
ActionAid is an international network building a just, equitable, and sustainable world in solidarity with communities on the frontlines of poverty and injustice.
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