On October 2, 2025, the Swisscontact project Empower AgriWomen, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation (IFC) project “Ukraine Agricultural Capital Markets Development”, organized an online event titled “Agricultural Notes – a New Financial Instrument for Farmers.”
The initiative brought together 66 participants — farmers, financial institutions, agricultural associations, and local authorities — to explore a new mechanism designed to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized agricultural producers and enhance business sustainability in wartime conditions.
The event was supported by the National Depository of Ukraine, the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of the Chernihiv Regional Administration, and the Regional Development Agency of Chernihiv region.
Chernihiv region, heavily affected by the war, continues to face security threats, damaged infrastructure, and supply chain disruptions. Despite these challenges, agriculture remains the backbone of the local economy. Small and medium-sized farms — many led by women — demonstrate resilience and adaptability but still struggle to access affordable credit and investment.
This is where Swiss cooperation plays a crucial role. The partnership between Swisscontact’s Empower AgriWomen and IFC’s Agricultural Capital Markets Development Project reflects a unified effort to strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural sector through innovative financing instruments, capacity building, and public-private collaboration.
During the event, experts presented Agricultural Notes — a new non-banking financial instrument developed by IFC and supported by the Government of Switzerland. The tool allows small producers to attract financing more flexibly and securely, while providing creditors with additional mechanisms to manage risks and ensure transparency.
Participants discussed:
Speakers included:
The event concluded with a panel discussion on the role of Agricultural Notes in expanding access to finance for small and medium-sized producers, and their potential benefits for lenders and investors.
Organizers announced the upcoming series of practical training sessions for Chernihiv region farmers. These workshops will focus on the issuance process, application of Agricultural Notes, and use of the online Register, helping producers and creditors acquire the skills needed to adopt the new instrument effectively.
The Empower AgriWomen project, implemented by Swisscontact, aims to strengthen women’s participation in agribusiness by improving access to training, markets, and financing opportunities. The collaboration with IFC enhances this mission, creating a powerful example of Swiss synergy for supporting Ukraine’s agricultural recovery and promoting financial inclusion.