MICROCAPITAL STORY: Rotary International’s Uniendo America Project Fair as Launch Pad for Central American Microcredit Projects

The 15^th annual Uniendo America Project Fair will be held from January 24 through 26 of 2008 in San Jose, Costa Rica. It will feature approximately 300 projects on microcredit, water, and education, among others, organized by Rotary Clubs throughout Central America. The fair is a way for Central American and North American Rotarians to exchange ideas and realize these projects. The chair of this year’s fair is Fabio Carballo, who is also vice-chair of Rotary International’s Microcredit Advisory Committee.

Rotary International (RI) began as the Rotary Club of Chicago as the world’s first service club organization originally formed in February 1905 by Paul Harris. It is supported by The Rotary Foundation (TRF), a nonprofit corporation financed solely through voluntary contributions. Since the early 1990s, the Rotary Foundation has funded microcredit projects developed by individual Rotary Clubs worldwide, including Central and South America, Asia, and Africa. Today, over 32,000 Rotary Clubs can be found in more than 200 countries. Throughout its history, RI has collaborated with the United Nations, governments, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) to uphold their motto: “Service Above Self”. Wilfrid J. Wilkinson is the current president.

RI’s Microcredit Advisory Committee was established for the purpose of developing guidelines and resources for Rotary clubs interested in microcredit projects. It is currently chaired by Steven Rickard.

Additional Resources:

Rotary International: “Clubs in Central America to put on international project fair”

Rotary International: History

Rotary International: Committees

Costa Rica Rotary Project Fair: Invitation

Rotarian Action Group for Microcredit: “The Promising Future of Rotary Microcredit”