http://www.bellanet.org/partners/mfn/ MicroFinance Network
The MicroFinance Network (MFN) is a global association of leading microfinance institutions, including BancoSol, BRI, BRAC, and K-Rep. It serves as a vehicle for leading microfinance organisations to provide each other with technical assistance and to learn from each others' methodological successes and failures.
http://www.cgap.org/ CGAP
A multi-donor effort to reduce poverty by increasing access to financial services for very poor households through financially sustainable institutions. CGAP's strategy is anchored on building and strengthening the retail capacity of microfinance institutions. UNCDF is a member of this consortium of 29 donors.
http://www.microcreditsummit.org/ Microcredit Summit
More than 2,900 people representing 1,500 organizations from 137 countries attended the Microcredit Summit in Washington, D.C. in February 1997. The Summit launched a nine-year campaign to reach 100 million of the world's poorest families with credit for self-employment and other financial and business services by the year 2005. The Summit's website includes a searchable database of Microcredit Summit Council members and speeches from the Summit events.
http://www.accion.org/ ACCION International
Since 1961, ACCION International has been a pioneer in micro-credit and micro-enterprise development, particularly in Latin America. Of particular interest is the information on the micro-finance network, the list of publications and the US and Latin America statistics.
http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/networks/fpsi/rmfsme.nsf/ World Bank Rural Microfinance & SMEs Devel.
World Bank web page specifically devoted to microfinance.
http://www.uncdf.org/sum/index.html The Special Unit for Microfinance (SUM)
The Special Unit for Microfinance (SUM) is a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme UNDP and the United Nations Capital Development Fund UNCDF to enhance the private sector in developing countries and create mechanisms for the provision of credit to the poor. The site contains the MicroStart Guide which offers a concrete methodology and ready-to-use tools for establishing a micro-finance project.
http://www.planetfinance.org/rcs/PlanetFinance/Site/Web/En/Accueil/index.jsp
Planet Finance
(works only with Internet Explorer 4.0 or higher)
PlaNet Finance was established in 1998 as a non-profit organisation under French law. In the following three years, PlaNet Finance has become an international NGO, heading a microfinance network whose mission is to use the enormous potential of the Internet to promote development and microcredit. PlaNet Finance offers its services to microfinance practitioners and it is also a working tool for microfinance experts. PlaNet Finance works directly with Microfinance Institutions (MFI) and other organisations that provide banking services for the poor.
http://www.calmeadow.com CALMEADOW
CALMEADOW is a registered Canadian not-for-profit charity with over fifteen years of experience in microfinance. Based in Toronto, CALMEADOW focuses its efforts on mobilising and managing capital for direct investment in developing microfinance institutions in Latin America and Africa.
http://www.grameen-info.org/index.html Grameen Bank
The Grameen Bank provides financial services to the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh without collateral.
http://www.worldbank.org/ The World Bank Group
Founded in 1944, the World Bank Group is one of the world's largest sources of development assistance. The Bank, which provided $17.3 billion in loans to its client countries in fiscal year 2001, is now working in more than 100 developing economies, bringing a mix of finance and ideas to improve living standards and eliminate the worst forms of poverty. For each of its clients, the Bank works with government agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to formulate assistance strategies.
http://www.undp.org/ United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the UN's principal provider of development advice, advocacy and grant support. With 132 country offices, it has long enjoyed the trust and confidence of governments and NGOs in many parts of the developing as well as the developed world. UNDP is also part of the Special Unit for Microfinance (SUM).
http://www.usaid.gov/ United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Created in 1961, USAID has been the first U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. The agency works to support long-term and equitable economic growth and advancing U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, developing global health and democracy, strengthening conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance.
http://www.apmas.org/ APMAS (works only with Internet Explorer)
APMAS is a state level institution, which
supports the women's self help movement and promotes
sustainable livelihoods for the rural poor in Andhra Pradesh.
APMAS represents a public-private partnership institution with
active participation of Government of Andhra Pradesh, banks,
representatives of civil society organizations and SHG/ MACS
and eminent persons from the development sector. The
Department for International Development (DFID), Government of
UK thorough CARE-India is initially funding
APMAS.
http://www.bsr.org/ Business for Social Responsibility
Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) is a non-profit business association, a global partner for responsible business leaders. With more than 1,400 member and affiliated companies worldwide, BSR helps business to achieve commercial success in ways respecting ethical values, people, communities and the environment. BSR promotes corporate social responsibility (CSR) by helping companies to implement and improve CSR policies and practices to enhance the quality of life.
http://www.mip.org/ The Microenterprise Innovation Project
The Microenterprise Innovation Project is the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) initiative to support technical and financial assistance, research and training on best practices in microenterprise development and finance. The components of USAID's microenterprise programme are: Microenterprise Best Practices (MBP); Assessing Impact of Microenterprise Services (AIMS); Implementation Grant Programme (IGP): Technical Assistance to USAID Missions (MicroServe); and Programme for Innovation in Microenterprise (PRIME Fund).
http://www.folade.org/ FOLADE
FOLADE is an independent consortium of Latin American NGOs interested in promoting new financial mechanisms and in reaching new levels of independence. It now has 30 member organisations from 17 countries.
http://www.iadb.org/ Inter-American Development Bank
The Inter-American Development Bank is the oldest and largest regional multilateral development institution. It was established in December of 1959 to accelerate the economic and social development in Latin America and the Caribbean.
http://www.cepal.org/default.asp?idioma=IN Economic Commission for Latin America (ECLAC)
Headquartered in Santiago, Chile, ECLAC is one of the five regional commissions of the United Nations. It was founded to contribute to the economic development of Latin America. ECLAC developed a new system to disseminate information concerning economic and social conditions in Latin America and the Caribbean.
http://www.esquel.org.ec/ingles/in_main.htm Fundación Esquél
The Fundación Esquel is a private non-profit organisation which aims to contribute to sustainable development in Ecuador, to the improvement of life standards of poor and to the construction of a democratic society based on principles of solidarity.
http://www.arias.or.cr/Eindice.htm Foundación Arias
The Arias Foundation for Peace and Human Progress in Costa Rica is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to build a peaceful society in Central America. In order to accomplish its mission, the Arias Foundation created the Centre for the Organised Participation, the Centre for Human Progress and the Centre for Peace and Reconciliation.
http://www.ilo.org/public/english/employment/finance/index.htm ILO Social Finance Unit
The International Labour Organisation with its Social Financial Programme is concerned with financial sector issues that enhance or obstruct poverty alleviation, employment creation and the fight against social exclusion. ILO provides technical assistance on policy and legislative reform, advocacy and awareness raising, and capacity building of the tripartite constituents. Projects incorporate development and gender aspects.
http://www.microenterpriseworks.org/ Association for Enterprise Opportunity
The Association for Enterprise Opportunity (AEO) is a US association of organisations committed to microenterprise development. AEO provides its members with a forum, information, and a voice to promote enterprise opportunity for people and communities with limited access to economic resources.
http://www.bankrakyat.com.my Bank Rakyat Indonesia
The largest and most successful state-owned bank with a focus on microenterprise, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) provides savings, credit, and other financial services to all socio-economic levels of Indonesian society. Since its establishment in 1985, BRI has consistently tailored its services to meet the needs of low-income members of the community. Its main focus has been on providing loans to small businesses.
http://www.villagebanking.org Foundation for International Community Assistance (FINCA)
FINCA provides financial services to the world’s poorest families so they can create their own jobs, raise household incomes, and improve their standard of living. FINCA delivers these services through a global network of locally managed and self-supporting institutions.
http://www.inaise.org/ INAISE
The International Association of Investors in the Social
Economy (INAISE) is a global network of socially and
environmentally oriented financial institutions. Created in
1989 INAISE encourages and supports international (including
North-South) co-operation between investors in the social
economy; serves as an information desk for organisations and
individuals interested in the field of social economy
financing; plays an active role in representing the movement
of social investors at the European Commission and other
international organisations; organises international
conferences and co-ordinates research projects in the field of
social economy.
http://www.bancosol.com.bo/ Banco Solidario
Banco Solidario is the leading provider of financial services to persons, microentrepreneurs, as well as small and medium sized businesses that belong to the most vulnerable sectors of the economy and represent the majority of the Bolivian population.
http://www.caf.com/ The Corporación Andina de Fomento
The Corporación Andina de Fomento (CAF) is a multilateral financial institution whose mission is to promote the sustainable development of Andean countries and their regional integration. It serves the public and private sectors, providing multiple financial services to a broad customer base composed of the governments of member countries, public and private companies and financial institutions.
http://www.womensopportunityfund.org/ Women's Opportunity Fund
The Women’s Opportunity Fund enables extremely poor women in developing countries to break out of the cycle of poverty. Small loans are made to poor entrepreneurs (primarily women) in groups of 15-40 called Trust Banks. Trust Bank members receive loans, training, and a support network to help them and their families become self-reliant with dignity.
http://www.oikocredit.com/ Oikocredit
Oikocredit, Ecumenical Development Cooperative Society is a development institution, structured as a financial intermediary, that provides loans to enterprises owned and operated by monetarily poor people. By investing in Oikocredit churches, church organizations, non-profit organizations, institutions and individuals create opportunities for the marginalised to attain self-reliance and build self-esteem. Oikocredit finances cooperatives, microfinance institutions and viable enterprises in various economic sectors in 31 countries throughout Latin America Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe.
http://www.unesco.org/ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
UNESCO is a UN organisation aiming to contribute to peace and security in the world by promoting collaboration among nations through education, science, culture and communication. Founded in 1995, UNESCO's microfinance unit works to promote microfinance as a poverty alleviation tool by providing education, social services, and technical assistance to the clients of microcredit organisations.
http://www.communitycapital.org/ National Community Capital Association
The National Community Capital Association (NCCA) is a
membership association of nonprofit community development
financial institutions (CDFIs). The association’s mission is
to foster and support a national network of performance-driven
nonprofit community development financial institutions with
the capacity and resources to serve poor urban, rural and
reservation-based communities. Members include loan funds,
credit unions, microenterprise funds and venture capital
funds.
http://www.devcap.org/ DEVCAP
DEVCAP's Shared Return Fund allows responsible investors to earn solid investment returns while creating new opportunities in the developing world through microenterprise. The fund enables individuals and institutions to invest in a portfolio of socially-screened stock and also allows them to donate a portion of their investment returns to microfinance organizations around the world.
http://www.foncap.com.ar/ Fondo Fiduciario de Capital Social, S.A. (FONCAP)
FONCAP is an innovative initiative of the Argentine government, designed to eradicate poverty and alleviate unemployment. FONCAP's mission is to promote the Argentine microfinance sector through the creation, strengthening and expansion of local microbanks.
http://www.profundinternacional.com/ ProFund Internacional
ProFund Internacional is a for profit investment fund. ProFund offers microcredit for small and micro enterprises. ProFund seeks a high return on investment for its shareholders while promoting the growth of regulated and efficient financial intermediaries whose main target market is the small and micro enterprises sector of Latin America and the Caribbean. ProFund provides equity and quasi-equity resources to eligible financial institutions so that they can expand and improve their operations on a sustainable and large-scale basis.
http://www.crfusa.com/ The Community Reinvestment Fund (CRF)
CRF is a nonprofit organisation that provides a secondary market for economic development loans. The fund buys loans from economic development organizations and uses them as collateral to sell bonds to private investors, as well as providing other services.
http://www.unifem.undp.org UNIFEM
Created in 1976 UNIFEM is a fund devoted to promote women's empowerment and gender equality. UNIFEM focuses its work at the country level within the context of the United Nations Resident Coordinator System. It works to ensure the participation of women in all levels of development planning and practice, and acts as a catalyst within the UN system, supporting efforts that link the needs and concerns of women to all critical issues on the national, regional and global agendas.
http://www.opportunity.org/ Opportunity International
Opportunity International is a non-profit organisation which provides opportunities that enable people suffering chronic poverty to transform their lives by creating jobs, stimulating small businesses and strengthening communities. The Opportunity International Network shares a dynamic vision to transform the lives of poor families through microcredit. The Network includes 48 Partner organisations in 25 developing countries and Support Partners in 7 countries.
http://www.intercambio.org.pe/viindex.htm Intercambio / IPES
Intercambio de Prácticas Óptimas en Género y Servicios para la Microempresa (Exchange of Best Gender Practices for Microenterprise Services) is a Latin American Regional initiative that seeks to expedite, stimulate and spread the process of sharing the successful experiments and the best practices involving gender equality produced by the offer of business services for Micro-enterprises, through the development of competition mechanisms and the exchange of systemised experiences.
http://www.swwb.org/ Women's World Banking
The Women's World Banking network help affiliates build their ability to provide responsive, efficient and sustainable microfinance services. Technical services and training, tailored to each affiliate's stage and potential, are provided on: organizational strategy and effectiveness, microfinance products and processes, loan tracking and MIS.
http://www.gdrc.org/icm/ Virtual Library on Microcredit
The Virtual Library on Microcredit is a library, journal and think tank rolled into one. It contains tools (in the form of practical ideas), guides, strategies, courses and methodologies, success stories (in the form of case studies), comparisons, inspiring ideas, and best practices, articles (in the form of theoretical and practical analyses of the issues of interest) resources (in the form of organizational and operational information on current policies), programmes, projects and other initiatives. Topically, the following are covered: informal credit, micro-credit, community-based finance, community organization, participation, roles of NGOs, credit access for women, micro-enterprises, linking savings and credit, Capacity Building for Micro-finance, credit unions and cooperatives etc. Urban and rural areas of low-income and transitional economies in Asia, Africa, Latin America and Central/Eastern Europe are the primary focus.
http://nt1.ids.ac.uk/cgap/index.htm The Microfinance Gateway
The Gateway is a micro-finance information hub. It is a forum for MFI practitioners, NGOs, Donors, and others to learn about micro-finance topics and to share their knowledge.
The Microfinance Gateway is a collaboration between CGAP (the Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest) and ELDIS, a leading organization in on-line information gateways (based at the Institute of Development Studies, U.K.).
The site includes three parts: "Industry Services" which links to several resources centres, "Highlights" which provides either new approaches or viewpoints and "The Library" which includes more than 2,000 reviewed documents.
http://www.enterweb.org/microcre.htm EnterWeb
EnterWeb is an extensive online resource for people looking for information on small and micro-enterprise, as well as finance, international trade, entrepreneurship and enterprise development.
http://www.microjournal.com/ Journal of Micro-finance
The Journal of Micro-finance is a forum for sharing ideas and information related to the practice of micro-finance. This journal features articles and special symposia written by leading practitioners and academics in the field of micro-finance and micro-enterprise development.
http://www.alternative-finance.org.uk/en/ Alternative Finance Website
The Alternative Finance Website provides articles and information on micro-credit and other sustainable financial services aiming to redress inequity, alleviate poverty and improve services to disadvantaged people.
http://lanic.utexas.edu/ Latin American Network Information Centre (LANIC)
Run by the Institute for Latin American Studies at University of Texas-Austin, LANIC is a clearinghouse for Internet-accessible information on Latin America. LANIC offers a directory of links to nearly 100 associations, organisations, and institutes in the field of Latin American Studies in the United States and around the world; links to over 25 Latin American Studies journals; links to a dozen of the major libraries and collections of Latin American materials in the U.S. and links to a select group of the major data bases and primary research resources.
http://www.iiav.nl/eng/databases/mapping/index.html Mapping the World
Mapping the World of Women's Information Services is an online database of women's information centres and libraries that are open to the public. There is one centre in almost every country in the world. The database can be searched by name, country, subject, sort of organization and other key words. It also includes web site links. The database is updated weekly. More than 350 women's information centres from over 125 countries are in the database.
http://www.devdir.org/ Directory of Development Organizations
The Directory of Development Organizations lists over 18,500 contacts of organisations promoting private sector development and poverty alleviation through: micro-finance, business development services, small enterprises development, appropriate technology, community development, environmental protection, research, training and education.
http://www.developmentgateway.com/ Development Gateway
Sponsored by the World Bank, the Development Gateway is a portal website covering a wide range of development issues. The goal of the Gateway is to help economic development practitioners to share information and to communicate easily. The web site contains researches, case studies, information on funding and commercial opportunities and job announcements.
http://www.vmm.dpn.ch/index.asp?info=main The Virtual Microfinance Market
The Virtual Microfinance Market (VMM) is an information exchange system designed to facilitate interactions between MFIs, private investors, Governments and other participants in the microfinance market.
http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/publicat/microfinance/index_en.htm
The European Commission web site includes a publication titled “Microfinance – Methodological considerations”. The document is a result of an evaluation of initiatives in rural savings and credit undertaken by the European Commission since March 1966. All the African- Caribbean- Pacific countries (ACP) and some countries in Latin America and Asia are covered.