According to a very much debated research paper, access to microcredit might have little impact on increasing the amount of money that borrowers spend on educating their kids. Those Indian slum dwellers who got credits and those who didn’t spent about the same on tuition, schools fees, or uniforms. Note though, that the authors warn that a period of 14-18 months, the period of the study, might be too short ... Read More »

When Juan Marquez came up with the concept of 1M Agro-Fuel, the aim went beyond traditional business. Not only did the project need to be profitable, it had to be sustainable, create opportunities for local employment and be in tune with the environment. Juan found the solution among the masses of rotting coconuts polluting the waterways of the Philippines. “I got the idea because I saw a problem with the ... Read More »

Oikocredit project partner PAWDEP is leading the way in microfinance pricing transparency in Africa. The Kenya-based Pamoja Women’s Development Programme was the first African microfinance institution to submit data to MFTransparency Transparent Pricing Initiative. Oikocredit project partner PAWDEP is leading the way in microfinance pricing transparency in Africa. The Kenya-based Pamoja Women’s Development Programme was the first African microfinance institution to submit data to MFTransparency Transparent Pricing Initiative. MFTransparancy allows ... Read More »