Millions of women make up the foundation on which the shea supply chain is built. Closest to the resource, women collectors and processors not only contribute to trading activities through aggregation but serve as the main care-takers of the shea trees. Working as a cooperative, collectors and process are better integrated into the global shea value chain, helping them realize the income potential of shea and thus, stronger advocates for parkland protection.

Volunteers, including Non-profit organizations, support the coops by building their capacity on best practices to improve parkland management activities as well as livelihood creation. 

The efforts of coops and volunteers, supported by other stakeholders, are essential to curtailing the depletion of shea resources and restoring already degraded parklands.