On 19 March 2026, the workshop “Financing for Smallholder Farmers: Portfolio Guarantees of the Partial Credit Guarantee Fund in Agriculture and Modern Standards” took place. The event attracted over 82 participants, including small-scale agricultural producers, farming enterprises, cooperatives, representatives of the financial sector, and the expert community.
The workshop was initiated by the Partial Credit Guarantee Fund in Agriculture (PCGF), implemented by the World Bank and financed by the European Union, in cooperation with the Swiss–Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), funded by Switzerland. Organisational and communications support was provided by the NGO Green Agro Solutions.
The workshop aimed to familiarise small organic and conventional producers with the PCGF’s operations, support their readiness to access finance through the portfolio guarantee mechanism, better understand banks’ requirements, and avoid common pitfalls when applying for loans. Participants learned about eligibility criteria for loans backed by guarantees, specifics of cooperation with banks and financial institutions, and how to prepare a strong application, from structuring a business plan to presenting the key financial indicators lenders assess.
Particular attention was given to the practical aspects of completing the ESG questionnaire, which helps producers align with current environmental and social standards and facilitates improved access to finance.
Bagrat Akhidzhanov , Director of the Agricultural Development Department at the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, presented the current state support instruments available to small agricultural producers. He noted that the guarantee mechanism is a key tool for expanding access to finance for small-scale farmers and, when combined with other public support programmes, creates tangible opportunities for sector development and investment.
Inesa Andrietti, Member of the Management Board of the PCGF, provided a detailed overview of the portfolio guarantee mechanism and emphasised its practical value for farmers. She highlighted that portfolio guarantees reduce credit risks for banks while enabling farmers to secure financing even with limited collateral. The Fund’s objective is to make this instrument as accessible and user-friendly as possible for small producers.
Tetiana Tsymbal, Senior Specialist in Environmental and Social Management at the PCGF, focused on the importance of ESG standards. She underlined that banks increasingly consider environmental and social aspects of borrowers’ operations. Completing the ESG questionnaire provides an opportunity to demonstrate responsible business practices and improve access to financing.
The workshop was moderated by Olesia Omelianenko, Outreach and Information Campaigns Consultant, Ukraine Agriculture Capital Market Development.
During the workshop, participants explored success stories of farmers who have already benefited from the Fund’s guarantees and had the opportunity to engage directly with partner banks.
The event confirmed strong interest among small-scale farmers in financial access instruments, as well as the relevance of integrated solutions combining public support, financial mechanisms, and modern sustainability approaches.
In the context of current challenges, expanding financing opportunities for smallholder farmers, particularly through guarantee instruments and the adoption of modern standards, is of critical importance. This will strengthen their financial capacity, enhance farm resilience, and support the continued development of Ukraine’s agri-food sector.
The full recording of the workshop is available on QFTP’s YouTube page via the link (in Ukrainian).
The workshop is organised at the initiative of the Partial Credit Guarantee Fund in Agriculture (PCGF), implemented by the World Bank and financed by the European Union. The event was held in cooperation with the Swiss–Ukrainian Programme “Higher Value Added Trade from the Organic and Dairy Sector in Ukraine” (QFTP), funded by Switzerland and implemented by the Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL, Switzerland) in partnership with SAFOSO AG (Switzerland). Speakers included representatives of the Ministry of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine, PCGF, partner banks, and agricultural producers who have already accessed loans backed by the Fund’s guarantees. Organisational and communications support was provided by the Green Agro Solutions Public Association.
