A journey shaped by cooperation, tested in the field, and strengthened by communities.
A new approach to rural finance takes shape. The Ma’at concept is developed and successfully tested with farmer groups in Mozambique and Mexico.
Ma’at Peasant is established in France. The initiative becomes a registered non-profit organization and begins refining the system through field feedback.
From framework to digital platform. The second version of the system is launched, introducing a web platform and mobile app designed for rural accessibility.
Scaling across continents. 100 active groups unite 2,000 members and impact 10,000 beneficiaries across Mozambique, Mexico and Spain.
We are a group of experienced practitioners in diverse fields including food, farming, nature, finance, ICT, mathematics, design.
Laura Aguilar, Partner of Tochan Nuestra Casa A.C. Working with the Siuamej Tayolchikaunij Women’s Network for over 13 years, experience in accompanying groups of women and training in community organization, gender, climate change, women’s rights, local market, food sovereignty and defense of the territory.
Mexico Country Manager & Indigenous Women Coordinator
Manuel Samili is agriculturalist, graduated in Cuba (10 years). With 26 years of experience in rural microfinance. He created and trained more than 900 groups in northern Mozambique. Training encompasses small business, gender as well as facilitation on legalization of community groups and management of savings and bank accounts.
Field Training Coordinator Mozambique
Ioannis Verbis with a PhD and two MSc degrees in Engineering. Excels in cost modelling along with strong programming and mathematical skills. Specialisation ranging from applied mechanics and light constructions to applied mathematics and process simulation & optimization.
Mathematical Optimization Designer & Administrator
Masters in Sustainable Agriculture and Agroecology, professor, researcher, 25 years + of experience with communities, farmer-to-farmer methodology in Cuba, Mexico, Guatemala, Mozambique, working in agroecology production systems and participatory innovation, transforming agroecosystems
Agroecology Advisor
Angela Hilmi is a biologist, agronomist with a PhD in socio-economics and studies in anthropology and sociology of politics, with years of experience in United Nations and the private sector in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, working on sustainable agriculture and rural development.
MA’AT PEASANT Founder & President
Osorio Adriano, working at Ophavela, with degree in Environmental and Natural Resources Management, 5 years experience in monitoring and evaluating savings groups, trainer of the Savings and Revolving Credit Methodology, Small Business Management and Agricultural Fund.
Mozambique Group Support
Carol Coye Benson experienced in the design and implementation of technology-driven financial solutions with extensive experience in the banking sector. Founding partner of Glenbrook Partners, global leader in payment systems strategy. She is strategic advisor to nations and NGOs on payment systems architecture.
Financial Advisor
Vassilis Darsinos holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering & Computer Technology, specializing in Telecommunications and Electronics. Led the Technical Department and Networks in several IT companies in Greece. Provides specialized technical and consulting IT and software services.
ICT Platform Developer & Administrator
Francesca Lucci is a Rome-based illustrator, graphic designer, art director and motion graphic producer specialized in video communication and multi-media products for large multi-nationals and international organizations.
Communication Director
Vicent Guardiola, farmer with decades of practice in agroecology, certified organic farming, biomass and agroforestry. Constructor specialised in bioconstruction with studies in industrial engineering, certified in solar and photovoltaic installations, solar pumps, and renewable energy.
MA’AT Treasurer & Administrator
Alcídio Faria graduated in adult education and agriculture. More than 25 years of experience in community development, rural extension, producer associations, financial literacy, business planning and management. Founding member of Ophavela, with more than 9,300 Savings Groups.
Mozambique Country Manager
Carlota Ducottet is coordinator of the Women’s Secretariat of the Galician Farmers’ Union and vegetable garden instructor for the social inclusion association Boa Vida. Carlota devotes her time to supporting feminist agroecological initiatives in the region.
Galicia Field Coordinator
We believe capital can function as a living commons — circulating, regenerative, and aligned with shared purpose.
Our Member Capital Commons transforms contribution into collective capacity. Each member strengthens the pool; each member may access it in proportion to their participation. In doing so, capital ceases to be extractive and becomes relational – a resource held in trust for the good of the whole.
When members access shared resources, they return them with a flexible sustainability contribution that nourishes the Commons and expands its future potential. What is taken is restored. What is restored is strengthened.
This model fosters accountability without hierarchy, access without exploitation, and growth without private accumulation.
As local Commons mature and interconnect, they form a distributed network of community-governed capital pools – capable of scaling globally while remaining rooted in local stewardship.
We are building not merely a fund, but a framework for regenerative participation – where finance becomes a practice of mutual responsibility, resilience, and shared emergence.
Ma’at Peasant was created through the collaboration of practitioners from different continents and cultures, united by a shared goal: addressing the challenge of sustainable finance for small farming communities. Mozambique became the first country to test the approach in 2019.
In 2021, the Ma’at Peasant non-profit organization was officially established in France and registered in the Official Journal.
Since its launch, the system has been continuously refined through field experience and feedback from participating groups, helping adapt the model to real community needs.
At the same time, the platform has been strengthened with ICT and mathematical expertise, creating a reliable digital infrastructure. The methodology and training modules were developed collectively, with a key contribution from the Mozambican team.
Ophavela Association to promote community-based microfinance products through financial education and technical assistance.
Tochan/Our House Association for the defence of rights and territories of indigenous Nahua and Totonac women, Cuetzalan Mexico.
Galician Peasant Union- with over 50 years of existance dedicated to Food Sovereignty, protecting land and territories.
Agroecology Fund, a multi-donor fund amplifying agroecological solutions to transform global food systems through grassroots movements.
Norgesvel Royal Norwegian Society for Development independent nonprofit, doing local development work since 1809.
Agroecology Coalition, the coalition for food systems transformation through agroecology with a growing membership of around 450 members .
SIDI, International Solidarity for Development and Investment, supports inclusive finance based on solidarity.
Chicatana, generates friendly, respectful, dignified collective processes for harmonious co-existence of all beings.
Ver de terre Production, the agroecology of living soils, disseminates sound agroecological practices and expertise on a large scale
ASPTA the Brazilian association on family farming and agroecology for sustainable rural development.
BHBZ Agroforestry offers diagnostics, expertise and training to improve soil fertility, as well as advice on agroecology production
