A new vision for rural women’s leadership in the Caribbean emerges in Grenada

The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CANROP) concluded today a week-long strategic planning workshop in Grenada, marking a pivotal step in the organization’s renewal process. The initiative, supported by the FAO, PROCASUR and IFAD, as part of the FO4ACP program, brought together CANROP’s Board of Directors, members of its 10 national chapters, and a team of international experts to co-design a stronger future for the network. 

The workshop led to the formal approval of CANROP’s Strategic Planning Document, and the development of a comprehensive Action Plan for 2025–2030, focusing on advocacy, capacity-building, and fundraising. It was also presented the final proposal of a new governance structure with new Bylaws for the Regional Network. 

“The work so far has brought us new ideas and exposed us on how we can better support each other at the regional and national level with our different chapters,” said Ms. Carmen Nurse, CANROP’s president, who led the sessions alongside FAO facilitators and guest experts from Portugal, Colombia, and Chile. 

The agenda of the workshop included training on strategic planning, policy advocacy, actor mapping, and sustainable funding strategies. Methodologies were participatory and framed within South-South cooperation principles. 

This activity concluded a 3-year process where FAO, IFAD, PROCASUR worked together with the 10 national chapters and the regional board of CANROP to strengthen the network’s institutional and economic capacities. During this period, exchange activities, capacity building training courses and direct investment in economic structure were connected with a strategy to empower rural women in the family farming sector in the Caribbean. 

“After this workshop, we close one chapter and open another. CANROP now has a stronger voice, renewed governance, and a clear path forward to support rural women in the Caribbean”, said Luiz Beduschi, FAO’s Senior Policy Officer and FO4ACP Regional Coordinator. 

With the results achieved, CANROP is better positioned to amplify its voice and impact across the Caribbean, promoting sustainable agriculture, food security, and women's empowerment in rural communities. 

About the FO4ACP Program 

This initiative is part of the Farmers' Organizations for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (FO4ACP) program, funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the European Union in support of the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).  Its objective is to increase incomes and improve the livelihoods, food and nutrition security and safety of smallholder and organized family farmers in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries by strengthening regional, national and local farmers' organizations.