| From the start, the EMP looked to involve some key field actors in microfinance into the programme at the academic and internship level. The NGOs brought their know-how and their long field experience to the EMP.
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ADA is a non-profit organisation based in Luxembourg. Since 1994, ADA has been working with Microfinance Institutions (MFIs) by offering them a unique combination of financial support and customised technical services. MFIs working with ADA also gain access to a valuable network of public and private support organisations, alternative financial institutions, microfinance rating agencies and international development agencies.
Microfinance is one of the most effective development tools in the fight against poverty. It provides micro-banking services to the poor so they can become self-employed. In making access to capital possible through microfinance, it allows economically marginalized people to become more independent and take responsible for their own livelihood. Experience shows us that the majority of the poor, even the poorest, can make a profit from their economic activity--if they can get it started. They, and their entire families, benefit from their microcredits.
It’s not Only a Question of Money
Money alone does not ensure development. To be effective in the long run, microfinance needs solid and efficient Microfinance Institutions (MFIs). This is the challenge - to create sound institutions capable of offering sustainable, quality financial services to millions of poor people.
Microfinance : A Viable Development Tool
Since 1994, the organisation Appui au Développement Autonome - ADA has developed creative ways to support the sustainability and credibility of MFIs. ADA understands the challenges facing MFIs. ADA also understands that the survival and growth of MFIs depend upon their ability to improve performance and, ultimately, tap savings and commercial financing. As more MFIs qualify for funds, more credit will become available to the poorest families. This is the very essence of ADA’s mission - empowering the world’s poor by expanding microfinance services for self-employment.
For more information: http://www.microfinance.lu/
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BRS (Belgian Raiffeisen Foundation) is a not-for-profit organisation specialised in the field of microfinance and micro-insurance. “BRS is convinced that savings, credit or microinsurance should not be seen as an objective as such, but rather as a resource not only to increase welfare but also to underline human welfare.
Unique position: offering finance, advice and training
BRS is the international wing of Cera and is closely linked to the KBC group. This allows BRS to tap into a valuable source of banking and insurance know-how. A group of KBC managers and executives volunteer their expertise and experience to BRS as consultants. They assist and advise their fellow bankers in Africa and Latin America at strategic moments. Most of the programs are realised in close collaboration with the Belgian NGO-sector.
With its up-to-date knowledge of banking and insurance combined with its years of practical experience in the field, BRS has the perfect know-how in-house to create specific training material and to offer courses on micro-financing, both in the southern and northern hemis-pheres. The topics addressed include the cooperative concept, savings, credit, insurance and financial analysis. This makes BRS more than simply a financier of projects, but rather a true partner, that counsels and assists start-up organisations during the growing pains and other problems.
Background
The difficulty in accessing financial services in developing countries is reminiscent of the situation faced by small-scale farmers in our country at the end of the 19th century. At that time, F.W. Raiffeisen’s savings and loan cooperation offered a way out of the vicious circle. CERA Bank arose from this in Belgium. In 1992, on the Bank’s one hundredth birthday, the Belgian Raiffeisen Foundation, or BRS for short, was created in order to support these organisations. Since then, the NPO has grown into one of the important professional Belgian players in the area of microfinancing and microinsurance.
For more information: www.brs-vzw.be, www.microfact.org
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CERISE was initiated in 1998, by four french organisations providing technical assistance to MFIs in the developing countries : the CIDR (Centre International de Développement et de Recherche, Autrêches), the CIRAD (Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Montpellier), the GRET (Groupe de Recherche et d'Echanges Technologiques, Paris) and the IRAM (Institut de Recherches et d'Applications des Méthodes de développement, Paris). The CNEARC jointed CERISE in 2004.
Its creation answered to two preoccupations : - in the fast growing microfinance world, the french players were evolving in a relative isolation between themselves but also if compared with the existing international networks ; this isolation was preventing the sharing of experiences and know-how – the acquired experience by the players located in the North is rich and diversified but stays badly valorised.
In this context, the creation of CERISE pursues an opening and structuring process of the french microfinance players. It aims to offer a common work space to the member’s organisations and facilitate the encounters with other players worldwide.
For more information: http://www.cerise-microfinance.org/
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PlaNet Finance is an international, non-profit organization, working directly with MFIs and other organizations that provide banking services to the poor. PlaNet Finance recognizes that microfinance is a non-exhaustive means of fighting poverty in the world. Microfinance enables people to help themselves with dignity through work.
PlaNet Finance has received significant international support from its very inception. Several heads of European and international institutions have collaborated to define its concept, structure and methods. High-tech companies, public and international institutions, as well as the general public, are involved in the funding of PlaNet Finance.
PlaNet Finance, with its international network of offices around the world (20 countries) staffed by professionals with extensive expertise, is an ideal partner for the EMP.
For more information: www.planetfinance.org or www.planetfinance.be
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SOS Faim works primarily in the rural world. In a spirit of partnership we support southern associations which develop their own projects to improve the living conditions of local populations. Those are mainly peasant movements and microfinance organizations.
In Belgium, SOS Faim works towards informing and mobilizing public opinion to fight problems and injustices plaguing the countries from the South. To this end, we launch public awareness campaigns and we publish two magazines (Défis Sud, Dajaloo) and several information bulletins. Moreover, we organize conferences and participate in numerous events.
SOS Faim has a general assembly and a board of directors (elected for three years). Its president helped by a treasurer supervises the financial management of the organization. An external auditor checks our accounts annually. To find out more about our activities and our financial statements you can read our activity report available online.
For more information: http://www.sosfaim.org/
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