As part of its mandate to empower Trade Unions, the ILO responded to the requirements of the TUs to facilitate improving access to finance for their members. This response manifested in the assemblage of experts in microfinance and trade unions related matters to develop a programme for training of Union Leaders in various ways to facilitate access to finance for their members. The overall objective of these trainings and materials is to empower trade unions to improve access to finance for their members and potential members, either by managing financial institutions, by creating partnerships or through advocacy towards existing specialized service providers.