MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) Calls for Survey Submissions by April 5, 2013

The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), a working group initiated in 2005 by a  group of NGOs based in the US and Switzerland, is calling for microfinance industry professionals to fill out an online survey intended to identify what social performance management practices are being implemented throughout the microfinance industry, what challenges exist in implementing these policies and what additional resources institutions need to achieve their social performance goals more effectively.  The survey is being conducted in collaboration with the Microfinance Exchange Network (MIX), a US-based nonprofit microfinance data provider, and the Global Appeal for Sustainable Microfinance, an association developed by French NGO Convergences 2015 to unite those committed to promoting socially responsible microfinance practices. You may complete the online survey until Friday, April 5, 2013, at: http://www.microfinancegateway.org/p/site/m/template.rc/1.1.18398/

Social performance is defined by CGAP as a firm’s performance in positively affecting people’s lives.

By Brian LeBlanc, Research Associate

About the Social Performance Task Force (SPTF)

The Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) was created in 2005 as an initiative of US-based CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Switzerland’s Argidius Foundation and the US-based Ford Foundation. As of 2012, SPTF consists of approximately 1300 members from microfinance stakeholder groups including practitioners, donors, investors, national and regional networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies, academics, researchers and others. It has been charged with clearly defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance. According to SPTF, social performance includes operating “in line with accepted social values that relate to serving larger numbers of poor and excluded people.”

About the Microfinance Exchange Network (MIX)

The Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX) is a US-based nonprofit provider of performance data and analysis on microfinance institutions (MFIs), funders, networks and service providers dedicated to serving the financial needs of low-income clients. The mission of MIX is to strengthen the microfinance sector and financial inclusion in general by promoting transparency. The organization’s MIX Market website offers access to financial and social performance information covering approximately 2,000 MFIs. MIX publications include the MicroBanking Bulletin and MIX Microfinance World, which feature periodic research and data analysis. Incorporated in 2002, MIX is headquartered in Washington, DC, with regional offices in Azerbaijan, India, Morocco and Peru. Its supporters include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor), Omidyar Network, The MasterCard Foundation, the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, Citi Foundation, Ford Foundation and Deutsche Bank. MIX reported total revenue of USD 4.4 million from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012.

About the Global Appeal for Sustainable Microfinance

Initially launched as the “Paris Appeal for Responsible Microfinance” in May 2011, the Global Appeal for Responsible Microfinance is an advocacy campaign developed by Convergences 2015, a France-based nonprofit network of international development organizations, to promote social responsibility in microfinance. As of September 2012, 1,500 individuals and 500 organizations have signed the appeal.

About CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor)

CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) is a US-based nonprofit policy and research center dedicated to providing financial access to poor people worldwide. CGAP is supported by approximately 40 development agencies and private foundations. Its mission is to provide market intelligence, to promote standards and to offer advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors and investors. CGAP reported total assets of USD 25 million for the fiscal year ending June 2012. CGAP is co-located with the offices of the World Bank Group in Washington DC.

Sources and Additional Resources:

Microfinance Gateway article, http://www.microfinancegateway.org/p/site/m/template.rc/1.1.18398/

Microfinance Gateway article, http://www.cgap.org/topics/social-performance

MicroCapital article, March 22, 2013, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) Calls for Submissions for ‘Balancing Social and Financial Responsibility’ Section of the Universal Standards Library,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-social-performance-task-force-sptf-calls-for-submissions-for-balancing-social-and-financial-responsibility-section-of-the-universal-standards-resource-library/

MicroCapital article, January 26, 2013, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) Calls for Submissions for its Universal Standards Resource Library: Treat Employees Responsibly,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-social-performance-task-force-sptf-calls-for-submissions-for-its-universal-standards-resource-library-treat-employees-responsibly/

MicroCapital article, July 22, 2011, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) Releases Proposed ‘Universal Standards for Social Performance’ in Microfinance,” https://www.microcapital.org/microcapital-brief-social-performance-task-force-sptf-releases-proposed-%E2%80%9Cuniversal-standards-for-social-performance%E2%80%9D-in-microfinance/

MicroCapital article, February 6, 2012, “MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: ‘Paris Appeal for Responsible Microfinance’ by Convergences 2015 Reaches 600 Signatories,” https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.microcapital.org%2Fmicrocapital-brief-paris-appeal-for-responsible-microfinance-by-convergences-2015-reaches-600-signatories%2F&h=BAQE9o1QQ

MicroCapital Universe profile: CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poor) https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=CGAP+%28Consultative+Group+to+Assist+the+Poor%29

MicroCapital Universe profile: Microfinance Information Exchange https://www.microcapital.org/microfinanceuniverse/tiki-index.php?page=Microfinance+Information+Exchange+%28MIX%29

Do you know that MicroCapital publishes the MicroCapital Monitor newspaper each month? Find out more at https://www.microcapital.org/products-page/

 

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