Benefits and Eligibility

As an international, member driven, non-profit association, FAST relies heavily on a strong membership base to guide and prioritize the development of projects and initiatives. Members share research and expertise, exchange critical market information and innovation for new financial products, and opportunities are cultivated. FAST represents financial institutions and producers dedicated to bringing sustainably produced products to market. Members include socially oriented and alternative lending institutions, SSME producers and producer organizations, local banks serving producers in the developing world, sustainable trade supply chain actors such as buyers and retailers, development focused institutions and socially motivated investors.

• Socially Oriented Lending Institutions benefit from FAST projects aimed at reducing credit risk, improving operational efficiency, and reducing operating and transaction costs. Through shared learning initiatives and knowledge sharing, lenders gain a greater capacity to provide their services to those who need them most. - Learn More
• Producers of Sustainable Products and their Producer Organizations benefit from improved financial literacy and greater access to high quality financial resources through FAST skills training tools. Producers are more able to enter lucrative sustainable produce markets, plan for future investments and build healthy businesses. - Learn More
• Local Financial Institutions - The financing gap will only be closed when local financial institutions are able and willing to provide sufficient finance to sustainable trade producers in their localities. FAST engages local financial institutions and aims to recruit local lending institutions who are working with sustainable trade producers. These institutions are eligible for "Full Membership", which provides them with the same benefits that other socially oriented lending institutions receive. - Learn More
• Stakeholders in the Agricultural Commodities Supply Chain benefit from stronger business practices, improved reliability and quality of supply from their key producers. Lasting supply chain networks are created through better producer business practices and are made possible through the enhanced financing opportunities FAST creates. - Learn More
• Development Focused NGOs and Institutions benefit by achieving their development goals through FAST initiatives that directly promote the creation of stronger and more sustainable economic enterprises in underdeveloped economies. - Learn More
• Socially Motivated Investors benefit from an enhanced understanding of the social and environmental impact that their investments achieve through FAST's social impact assessment tools. FAST initiatives cultivate innovative social lending opportunities to keep socially motivated investors on the forefront of new lending opportunities. - Learn More

The FAST membership structure blends two types of memberships based on these organizational activities. Lending institutions and local financial institutions involved in the financing of sustainable trade are eligible for "Full Membership" in FAST. All other organizations and institutions involved in sustainable supply chains are eligible for "Associate Member" status. Eligible "Associate Members" include producer organizations, buyers, retailers, local financial institutions, and development related NGOs involved in sustainable trade.

Full members will have the core responsibilities for management of the association and associate members will have broader advisory responsibilities. See below for membership participation details.

Contact FAST about becoming a member.