Sections
 

Status: Closed

Groupe Finsol (Microfinance and social links (Finance solidaire))

Key message: 3 roles for social links within financial institutions: social links help protect from poverty; allow to develop social capital for the individual & collectivity; contribute to the good functioning of financial institutions.

Description

A group of experts and practitioners in the field of Microfinance (including Intercooperation) gave itself the task to analyze the influence of social links/ social capital on the effectiveness of financial services for the poor. Is social capital a precondition (or facilitator) that financial services serve the poor and allow for a lasting impact and if so how do you assure its presence? Are there in this regard any differences between experiences of equitable financial systems in the South and the North?
We started our work on the basis of case studies from the North and the South and after a first round of observations made and lessons learnt the inner circle was opened up for microfinance institutions from Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe to join the reflection exercise. The mutual agreement was that work was needed to advance on the question of social performance indicators. Together with some of these institutions a test run is going on to test a mandated questionnaire with regard to pertinence, applicability and user friendliness. The questionnaire should be ready by the end of 2004 for dissemination and wider use. (see also web pages below)

International partner: Representatives of 30 Microfinance Institutions worldwide

Fact sheet

Type: Long-term mandate
Start: 2000 End: 2004 Status: Closed
Joint venture with: FPH, CIDR, IRAM, IC

Region: International / Global

Working domain: Rural Economy

Key topic: Saving and credit schemes development | Poverty targeting | Global level | OD / ID | Capitalization of experiences | Indigenous knowledge

Funding source: Fondation Charles Léopold Mayer pour le progrès de l'homme

Staff

Responsible at Head Office: Hans Ramm

Contact

Address:
Fondation pour le Progrès de l'Homme,
38, rue Saint- Sabin,
75011 Paris

Phone: ++33 1 43 14 75 75 Fax: ++33 1 43 14 75 99

E-Mail: paris@fph.fr

Website: www.fph.ch

Resp. for this entry: hramm

Achieving more together

Helvetas and Intercooperation entered a strategic partnership in 2008. Within the next 12 months, they will become one organisation under the name of HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation.