Oikocredit continues to harbour concerns of emerging trends and issues in the booming Indian microfinance sector. While the industry’s rapid growth and outreach is impressive, the focus of some microfinance institutions (MFIs) has tended towards financial stability rather than social impact. For some Indian MFIs, the mission has drifted and target, transparency and client protection [...]

OIKOCREDIT NORTHWEST COORDINATOR Promoting microcredit investment Oikocredit Northwest is an all-volunteer Seattle-based non-profit Support Association of Oikocredit, a global leader in the microcredit sector.  Using funds provided by Oikocredit USA, Oikocredit Northwest is creating a part-time position (10-15 hrs./week) with growth potential.  This Outreach Coordinator will support and expand activities undertaken by a two year [...]

“We need to enlighten the vision of women,” Kocaeli Gov. Ercan Topaca said at a micro-credit event last week in Turkey. The special provincial administration of Kocaeli distributed credits to 993 women entrepreneurs, amounting to 958,000 Turkish Liras in total. These credits will hopefully encourage women to start their own businesses with headstrong goals and [...]

The Village Enterprise Fund (VEF) works with subsistence farmers in the rural areas of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania. Through business training, funding and mentoring, VEF aims to help farmers create and sustain income-generating small businesses. In June 2009, VEF reported 19,200 small businesses launched thanks to their help. 75 percent of the businesses are still going strong after [...]

As climate change becomes more of a global issue, many have wondered how changing weather conditions and environmental issues impact microfinance. In fact, many microfinance institutions such as Oikocredit have a strong mission to positively impact the environment and promote sustainability. With institutions that we support like Barefoot Power, we encourage eco-friendly lifestyles and work. [...]

In the Dominan Republic, 1.5 million microenterprises exist, but need structural help in improving efficiency and strengthening its financial services.  For example, banking penetration as a percentage of GDP in 2008 came out to only 23%.  IFC and Banco de Ahorro y Credito ADOPEM (of Santo Domingo, DR) signed an agreement on July 12th to begin [...]

Microfinance has held a large presence in India for several years. Oikocredit has 70 projects operating in the country, from farming and agricultural outreach to self-help groups for marginalized women. We have also focused on strengthening educational programs in India, with microfinance organizations like SHARE (Society for Helping Awakening poor through Education). But many regions [...]

This past week, Oikocredit began investing large sums of money in different micro-lending projects around the world. We invested $3.4 million in nine different Indian microfinance institutions, and another $1.37 million to different MFIs in Bulgaria, Tajikistan, Benin, the Philippines and Ghana. The Bulgarian MFI we loaned to, called General Toshevo, gives micro-credit loans to [...]

As billions of viewers worldwide tune in to the World Cup this year, Oikocredit makes an active effort to help the poor in many of the countries participating in this year’s FIFA World Cup. Since the games are taking place in South Africa, here’s a little background info on our projects in the country. Oikocredit partners [...]

Oikocredit will begin to increase work with four partner microfinance institutions in Mali, which will increase our outreach in Africa, one of our goals for the upcoming years. Our partners are Association Piyeli, Kafo Jiginew (the largest MFI in the country),Nyesigiso, and Soro Yiriwaso (whose women clients make up 98% of all borrowers).   Association Piyeli is [...]