NOVICA, an affiliate of National Geographic magazine which sells “fairly traded” products made by artisans in poor countries, is offering its customers the chance to make interest-free loans to its producers. NOVICA co-founder and CEO Roberto Milk argues that its producers are good credit risks because they have income from the sales to the company. NOVICA reports having arranged sales for 75,000 artisans since 1999 and a 20 percent increase in sales over the past year.

Sources and resources:

Earth Times article:
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/global-retailer-novica-launches-artisan-microfinance-initiative,1059453.shtml

NOVICA.com:
http://www.novica.com/

NOVICA Artisan Loans:
http://microfinance.novica.com/

National Geographic:
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/