SPECIAL REPORT: Measuring the Impact of Energy Access, Bringing Climate Data into Agricultural Lending Methodologies with the Yapu App at European Microfinance Week

During European Microfinance Platform the first day of European Microfinance Week, Natalia Realpe Carrillo of Germany-based social network platform Hedera and Giulia Corso of Germany-based MicroEnergy International discussed the World Bank’s Multi-Tier Framework for Measuring Energy Access and the Progress out of Energy Poverty Index. Key factors include whether energy sources are adequate, reliable, legal and safe. To address impact, it is important to consider factors such as families’ energy spending, income generation and reduction of carbon dioxide emissions. These frameworks also align with the work of the Netherlands-based Global Off-Grid Lighting Association.

Davide Forcella of the Centre for European Research in Microfinance (CERMi) walked attendees through a simulation using the Yapu app to make lending decisions for a smallholder farmer with and without crop and climate data. For example, the agricultural data included typical input costs and revenue for various crops within 30 kilometers of a given location. Workshop participants then assessed the advantages and disadvantages of the data types. A local dataset can be more objective and quicker to collect, saving time for the loan officer. On the contrary, not asking the farmer about her yields may prevent learning whether her land or her practices are better or worse than average. To take environmental factors into account, loan officers would need more training to properly administer questions regarding – for example – the usage of organic seeds and which methods farmers use to manage weeds and pests. Those who may be interested in learning more about Yapu, including training others to use it, may email info[at]yapu.solutions.

This Workshop on Climate- & Data-smart Finance and Energy Finance was organized by the European Microfinance Platform’s (e-MFP’s) Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group.

This sponsored feature is part of a series on European Microfinance Week, which is being held from November 14 through 16 in Luxembourg by e-MFP, a network of over 130 financial-inclusion stakeholders. MicroCapital has been engaged to promote and document the event.

Additional Resources

Green Inclusive and Climate Smart Finance Action Group Convenes on First Day of European Microfinance Week Regarding Its Green Index, Study Tour in Bangladesh, Impact Measurement Ideas
https://www.microcapital.org/special-feature-green-inclusive-and-climate-smart-finance-action-group-convenes-on-first-day-of-european-microfinance-week-regarding-its-green-index-study-tour-in-bangladesh-impact-measurement-idea/

European Microfinance Week 2018
http://www.e-mfp.eu/european-microfinance-week-2018/information

MicroCapital Coverage of European Microfinance Week Since 2012
https://www.microcapital.org/category/european-microfinance-week/