by James Stevenson -

MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: DreamStart Labs Adding VisionFund as Preferred Financial Service Provider in Savings Groups App DreamSave

The US-based nonprofit World Vision International and its microfinance subsidiary VisionFund recently entered an agreement with the US-based financial software development company DreamStart Labs with the goal of enrolling 3 million people in 130,000 new savings groups over six years using DreamStart’s mobile app DreamSave. The organizations will focus on

by Bradley Shulman -

MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Savings and Climate Resilience;” by Elisa Sandri, Leonie Beckmann, James Robinson; Published by Itad

This paper explores how inclusive finance increases the ability of vulnerable populations to “anticipate, cope and adapt to climate shocks and stresses.” Savings groups, for example, can “enhance social capital by building group solidarity and networks,” and they have been successful outside of the financial arena, such as

by Aakansha Shenoy -

MICROFINANCE PAPER WRAP-UP: “Evidence Review of Women’s Groups and COVID-19: Impacts, Challenges, and Policy Implications for Savings Groups in Africa;” by Eva Namisango et al

This brief offers evidence on how COVID-19 has affected women’s savings groups in sub-Saharan Africa – with a specific focus on Nigeria and Uganda – including how these groups have helped to “mitigate the pandemic’s negative consequences.” In a savings group, members pool their savings, lend out these funds and share the resulting profits. In addition to