Multi-country programmes
Large-scale programmes funded by the European Union, AFD, and other multilateral donors, covering several countries and regions.
Our Action
Systemic approach
to transforming food value chains
COLEAD is driving the sustainable transformation of food systems in Africa, the Caribbean and around the world. Our systemic approach connects three levels of intervention — micro, meso and macro — to strengthen the competitiveness, resilience and inclusion of economic actors across agricultural and agri-food supply chains.
178 countries with COLEAD activity shown on the map below.
Status
How we help
Our programmes and projects
COLEAD designs and implements programmes and projects in the agricultural and food sector to drive the sustainable transformation of value chains, strengthening their economic viability, resilience, and positive social and environmental impact. Historically rooted in Africa and the Caribbean, we now operate globally — both in the field and online.
Our approach is systemic, operating at three levels: strengthening businesses and producers, structuring supply chains, and improving the sectoral environment.
National programmes
Targeted interventions in specific countries, with EU Delegations, IDB, ENABEL, or STDF.
Projects and services
Bespoke technical support for private clients and foundations
Every intervention integrates our cross-cutting priorities: climate resilience, women and youth, value sharing, digital innovation, nutrition and SPS standards, local ownership, quality and integrity.
Explore our work around the world via our interactive map.
How we act
A multi-level approach
Macro
Advocate, influence,
inspire.
At national, regional and supranational scales, we help shape regulatory, normative and political frameworks. We don't substitute for competent authorities: our technical advocacy draws on field data to inform decision-makers, and we spotlight exemplary, actor-led trajectories that inspire change toward responsible, sustainable investment.
Meso
Structuring the value chains and ecosystems.
We strengthen professional organisations, cooperatives and local ecosystems, and connect public, private, research and finance actors. It is at this level that individual progress converts into durable leverage effects across agri-food value chains.
Micro
Strengthening producers and enterprises.
Close to smallholders, agricultural organisations and MSMEs, we build the technical, entrepreneurial and managerial skills to meet SPS requirements, run a business and access national, regional and international markets. Our approach is demand-driven — we respond directly to expressed needs.
guiding our work
Three principles guiding our work
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Economic viability
social and environmental sustainability rests on viable economic models
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Systemic action
the micro-meso-macro nexus is the route to measurable change
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"Glocal" positioning
local roots with international reach