The Grameen Foundation, an independent non-profit organization, has announced a two-year initiative to assist African microfinance institutions (MFIs) in targeting and tracking clients using its poverty assessment tool, the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI).The initiative will be facilitated by the PPI Users Collaborative in Africa (PUCA), a group made up of Oikocredit, a financier of microfinance based in the Netherlands; Catholic Relief Services, a charity group based in the US; Terrafina Microfinance, a program that provides technical and financial support to MFIs; Planet Rating, a microfinance rating agency; and the Grameen Foundation. PUCA will begin by working with three MFIs: Kafo Jiginew of Mali and Caurie Microfinance and Union des Institutions Mutualiste Communautaire d’Epargne et de Credit (U-IMCEC), both of Senegal. The organization will apply the PPI to clients of these MFIs and analyze the results to determine the effectiveness of the MFIs in terms of targeting poor clients and poverty reduction. As part of the effort, PUCA will publish case studies and work with external groups interested in analyzing the data through independent research.
By Christopher Maggio, Research Assistant
About:
Grameen Foundation
Description:
Though the Grameen Foundation is independent of the Grameen Bank, Muhammad Yunus, the founder of the Grameen Bank, serves on the foundation’s Board of Directors. The foundation aims to help microfinance institutions throughout the world replicate the microfinance model of the Grameen Bank. It provides financial, technological, and managerial support for local organizations, and intends to provide new business opportunities and telecommunication services to the rural poor. The Grameen Foundation works with microfinance institutions (MFIs) in about 37 countries worldwide.
Organization’s Website
http://www.grameenfoundation.org/
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Profile
http://www.mixmarket.org/networks/grameen-foundation
Contact Information
Grameen Foundation
50 F St NW
8th Floor
Washington, DC 20001
+1 202 111 2222
About:
Oikocredit World Partnership Investments
Description:
Oikocredit World Partnership Investments is a microfinance fund based in the Netherlands that “finances cooperatives, microcredit institutions and viable enterprises” in over 58 countries. It is managed by Oikocredit, “an ecumenical co-operative financial development institution.” Oikocredit World Partnership Investments operates mainly in Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America and Africa. The recipients of its investments have a “special emphasis on rural areas and women.”
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Profile:
http://www.mixmarket.org/funders/oikocredit
Organization’s Website:
http://www.oikocredit.org/site/en/doc.phtml?p=world-partnership-investment
Just the Facts:
– Country of Incorporation: Netherlands
– Fund Assets: USD 664.7 million (as of 31/Dec/08)
– Fund Assets Allocated to MFI Investment: USD 404 million (as of 31/Dec/08)
– Number of MFI Investments (as of day/month/year): 480 (as of 31/Dec/08)
– Area of Operation: Global
– Instruments: Loans and Debt Securities, Equity Investments, Guarantees, Technical Assistance
– Fund Currency: EUR
– Fund Manager: Fatima Goti
Contact Information:
http://www.oikocredit.org/site/en/doc.phtml?p=contact10
About:
Terrafina Microfinance
Description:
Terrafina Microfinance is a joint microfinance program founded in 2005 by the Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO), Rabobank Foundation, and Oikocredit. It provides financial and technical support to microfinance institutions (MFIs) primarily in rural areas of West Africa.
Organization’s Website:
http://www.terrafina.nl
Contact:
Terrafina Microfinance
P.O. Box 8190
3503 RD Utrecht
The Netherlands
Telephone: +31 030 880 18 96
Email: info@terrafina.nl
About:
Planet Rating
Description:
Planet Rating is a microfinance rating agency and member of the France-based PlaNet Finance Group. It originated and now employs the GIRAFFE methodology to evaluate the performance and institutional risk of MFIs. This includes a 14-page report explaining the rating, a financial and operational analysis, regional and international benchmarking, and a rating by an independent rating committee.
Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) Profile:
http://www.mixmarket.org/service-providers/planet-rating
Organization’s Website:
http://www.planetrating.com/EN/index.php
Contact:
Address:
13 rue Dieumegard
Saint Ouen
93400
France
Telephone: +33 1 49 21 26 30
Fax: +33 1 49 21 26 27
Email: rating@planetrating.com
Additional Resources:
Vanguard article entitled ‘Microfinance stakeholders to enhance poverty assessment in Sub-Saharan Africa’: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/02/22/microfinance-stakeholders-to-enhance-poverty-assessment-in-sub-saharan-africa/
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe profile: Grameen Foundation
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe profile: Oikocredit World Partnership Investments
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe profile: Terrafin Microfinance
MicroCapital’s Microfinance Universe profile: Planet Rating
Catholic Relief Services: http://crs.org/
Caurie Microfinance on the MIX Market: http://www.mixmarket.org/mfi/caurie-micro-finance
U-IMCEC on the MIX Market: http://www.mixmarket.org/mfi/u-imcec
Kafo Jiginew on the MIX Market: http://www.mixmarket.org/mfi/kafo-jiginew
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