The coaching programme was launched in 2017 by Appui au Dâveloppement Autonome (ADA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under Improving Capacity Building in Rural Finance (CABFIN), a partnership comprising FAO, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the World Bank and the World Food Programme (WFP). Two initial pilot programmes - a national pilot in the Lao People's Democratic Republic and a regional pilot in West Africa - included the participation of eight financial service providers. This guide aims to share the experience accumulated by FAO and ADA from 2017 to 2021 during the implementation of the programme. It is intended for donors, development organizations, FSPs and other private or public stakeholders wishing to bring about a lasting improvement in smallholder farmers' access to funding in agricultural value chains