Just a few years ago, the term “microfinance” was largely
understood as the extension of credit to target groups for
enterprise development or other specific purposes, using
appropriate lending techniques. Today, “microfinance” has
become shorthand for providing a broad range of financial
services to a wide variety of poor and low-income clients.
The expanded definition means opening up the financial
sector to ensure that the poor have permanent access to
financial services. It also means providing poor people with
options.
We are therefore writing to introduce to you our
Micro-Financing training programme which has been
specifically designed for development professionals,
policymakers, and investors who would benefit from a deeper
understanding of microfinance to assist them in their area
of work.
The course targets development and government specialists
who focus on areas such as pro-poor policies, poverty
reduction, economic development, private sector and business
development, livelihoods, employment promotion, and gender.
It is equally useful for specialists in crisis prevention
and recovery, environment, and health who seek a better
understanding of how financial services are related to their
spheres of work.
PROGRAMME OBJECTIVES:
An overview of contemporary microfinance.
State-of-the-art principles and practical recommendations
for how donors, investors and policymakers can effectively
help build financial sectors that serve the poor.
Criteria for evaluating microfinance projects and
investments.
Techniques and tools for managing microfinance projects
and investments based on their performance.
Recommendations for creating policy frameworks that
promote financial services for the poor.
How to develop agency-specific strategies and action plans
for microfinance projects and investments.
PROGRAMME CONTENT: Introduction to Financial Systems for the Poor
Clients at the Centre: How Poor People Use Financial
Services.
The New Vision: Financial Services for the Poor.
The Role of Donors: Effectiveness, Comparative Advantage,
and Collaboration.
Donor Investments in Financial Institutions
Institutional Appraisals: A Comprehensive Framework.
Non-financial Factors.
The Numbers: Financial Factors.
The Decision: To Fund or Not to Fund (and How).
Investments in Pro-Poor Financial Systems
Real People Building Financial Systems.
Field Visit to Financial Institutions.
Conducive Policies for Pro-poor Financial Systems: Macro
and Sectoral Policies, Legal and Regulatory Frameworks,
Industry Standards.
