As USAID prepared to close in 2008, this assessment was conducted to evaluate the growth of the financial sector in Romania, identify USAID's role in this process, and document lessons that can provide a model for donor and government programming. The assessment evaluates the financial mechanisms USAID supported in Romania since 1996, including micro-lending, rural credit, mortgage finance, and equity investment. Impacts were assessed at the firm, financial-sector, institution, and enabling-environment levels.
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As part of a series of case studies under the Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project Knowledge Generation microfinance amid conflict theme, this case study on Kosovo highlights two initiatives that link microfinance with livelihood programs. The first initiative highlighted is with the International Centre for Community and Enterprise Development (ICCED) and multiple microfinance institutions in Kosovo. ICCED, a training and consultancy firm, developed a course that brings minorities into the economic mainstream. It created opportunities for linkages across ethnic and programming lines, linking a subsidized training program with for-profit financial services. The second case highlighted focuses on the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Kosovo Enterprise Program (KEP). The case details how DRC's income-generation program was transformed and merged into KEP's normal financial operations.
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As the second case in a series for the Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project Knowledge Generation microfinance amid conflict research theme, this case study on Afghanistan highlights the work of Child Fund Afghanistan (CFA) and the Afghan Rural Finance Corporation (ARFC). These projects illustrate the effects of working at different levels of enterprise financing in post-conflict settings. CFA is an example of an MFI that was built on a community-based model but which transitioned into a sustainable financial institution, with strong community ties and a sustained vision to serve marginalized groups. ARFC takes a different approach to economic recovery, focusing on high growth SMEs that can create sustainable jobs. ARFC works with and uses linkages with a variety of non-financial programs to strengthen the SMEs with which it works and to increase the financial and social impact of the broader aid agenda.
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As the third case in a series for the Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project Knowledge Generation microfinance amid conflict research theme, this case study on Burundi highlights the work of Turame, a microfinance institution (MFI) created by World Relief. The Burundi case study highlights an MFI that integrates conflict-resolution training within its institutional-development (including loan officer training) and its community bank lending methodology. This approach addresses the community-level drivers of conflict while building systems and an institution that improves ethnic relations.
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As the fourth case in a series for the Accelerated Microenterprise Advancement Project Knowledge Generation microfinance amid conflict research theme, this case study on Nepal highlights the work of the Nirdhan Utthan Bank Limited (NUBL). NUBL offers important pointers for risk mitigation in a conflict-affected environment and lessons learned on how adaptation of strategies, delivery mechanisms, and product characteristics can help microfinance providers ride the waves of societal conflict.
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This Gateway Highlight includes some of the main findings of a research study completed for the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor on government funding of retail microfinance. This study focused on government-sponsored initiatives destined for retail microfinance funded through national budget resources, rather than development aid from donor countries. The study found a large number of public announcements but little evidence about the quality or activities of government-sponsored initiatives.
This MicroNOTE explores how microinsurance can be an effective risk-management strategy to protect poor households from the devastating losses related to HIV/AIDS, how insurers have responded to the pandemic with appropriate and affordable coverage, and the challenges and risks in serving communities with a high prevalence of HIV/AIDS.
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This Note from the Field explores the role of Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan and how they support enterprise-development work. The note discusses the collaborative potential of PRTs working with other economic-development actors as well as the growing contention created by blurred lines between the military and humanitarian or development groups.
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This research study commissioned by USAID's Office of Development Credit develops a case for private sector involvement in the provision of basic education and explores the financing needs of schools and related service providers. It offers USAID guidelines for investing in the private basic education sector by using the Development Credit Authority (DCA), a financial guarantee mechanism through the Office of Development Credit (ODC). download pdf
Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are shifting from their traditional reliance on donor financing to using commercial funding sources, such as client deposits and loans from commercial banks and private investors. Such funding entails more-stringent repayment schedules and higher cost of funds, exposing MFIs to additional liquidity, interest rate, and exchange rate risks. Given the limited information available, Banyan Global researched six MFIs in Asia, Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East to examine their risk-management policies and procedures. This paper presents the findings and discusses the financial risks that MFIs face. download pdf
This one-page brief explains the benefits of stress testing as part of treasury risk management, which is crucial to the growth and sustainability of mature microfinance institutions (MFIs). download pdf
This presentation given in Spanish outlines the fundamentals of establishing a risk-management system for microfinance institutions (MFIs). Key elements include identifying, measuring, limiting, and monitoring risk. download pdf