SPECIAL REPORT: Kashf Foundation of Pakistan Wins $106k European Microfinance Award for Supporting “Low-cost” Private Schools

The Kashf Foundation, a Pakistani nonprofit providing microfinance services and advocacy on social issues, won the seventh European Microfinance Award last night for its support of private schools that serve students from low-income families. In addition to financing the schools, Kashf provides training in areas ranging from classroom management to human resources. The organization also assists with hygiene strategies, as most schools in the country lack water and toilets.

As of 2016, the program had disbursed 850 loans to schools serving 150,000 students, 75 percent of whom were female. As of 2015, Kashf reports total assets of PKR 7.01 billion (USD 66.9 million) and a microloan portfolio of PKR 4.36 billion (USD 41.6 million).

The annual European Microfinance Award, which includes a cash prize of EUR 100,000 (USD 106,000), is jointly organized by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs – Directorate for Development Cooperation, the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP) and the Inclusive Finance Network Luxembourg, with the support of the European Investment Bank.

The Eighth European Microfinance Award, which is to be presented in 2017, will be on the theme of housing microfinance.

This story is part of a sponsored series on European Microfinance Week, which is being held through November 18 by the European Microfinance Platform (e-MFP), a 124-member network located in Luxembourg. MicroCapital has been engaged to cover the event on-site.

Additional Resources

Kashf Foundation Wins 7th European Microfinance Award on Microfinance and Access to Education
http://www.e-mfp.eu/news-and-events/kashf-foundation-wins-7th-european-microfinance-award-microfinance-and-access

Guatemala’s Fundación Génesis Empresarial, Pakistan’s Kashf Foundation, Opportunity Bank of Uganda Named as Finalists for Education Edition of the European Microfinance Award
https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-guatmemalas-fundacion-genesis-empresarial-pakistans-kashf-foundation-opportunity-bank-of-uganda-named-as-finalists-for-education-edition-of-112k-european-micro/

MicroCapital Universe Profile on the Kashf Foundation
https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Kashf+Foundation

MicroCapital Coverage of European Microfinance Week
https://www.microcapital.org/category/european-microfinance-week/

Uniting Refugees, Locals via Lending Groups: European Microfinance Week Opens in Luxembourg
https://www.microcapital.org/special-report-uniting-refugees-locals-via-lending-groups-european-microfinance-week-opens-luxembourg-emw2016/

Overcoming Fears at European Microfinance Week: Farmers Eschew Microinsurance to Prevent Drought, MFIs Wary of Group Purchases of MIS Software
https://www.microcapital.org/special-report-overcoming-fears-european-microfinance-week-farmers-eschew-microinsurance-prevent-drought-mfis-wary-group-purchases-mis-software/

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