-
2010 Annual Conference and General Assembly
from 05/10/2010 to 09/10/2010
Accra, Ghana
From October 5th to 9th, 2010, the Africa Microfinance Network (AFMIN) will organize its 9th Annual Conference on the theme "Access to Financial Services: Reaching the Poor and Excluded"....
-
KEY LINKS
ACCION International
The ACCION website is a gateway to a wealth of high-quality technical and operational information on various aspects of microfinance. It provides access to information on its partner organizations, speeches made by management and top-notch staff of ACCION, its various publications including the ACCION InSight series, one-topic bulletin that highlights ACCION’s policy view points and ongoing research in the microfinance field.
ADA-Luxembourg
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.
Consultative Group to Assist a Poorest (CGAP)
This site has been developed to disseminate up-to-date information including lessons learned on best practices in the field of microfinance. It has links to CGAP’s occasional papers, focus notes, microfinance tools, capacity building, annual reports, working groups, selected readings and other microfinance resources.
Epargne Sans Frontiere (ESF)
An EC-funded French website offering microfinance information as well a medium for the exchange and capitalization of development experience. Website also includes a database of useful links and forums.
FAO Rural Finance Group
The Rural Finance Group in FAO promotes the development of sustainable financial services to encourage household food security and rural development. The website includes information on the FAO Microbanking System software (in collaboration with GTZ) currently in use in over 25 countries throughout Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe to improve the efficiency and viability of financial institutions. The website also contains many downloadable publications, including advice and guidance to financial institutions.
GTZ (Germany)
The primary goal of GTZ’s work is to improve the living and working conditions of people in the partner countries and sustain the natural basis for life. Site offering information on their world-wide corporations.
HIVOS
A fair, free and sustainable world – that is what Hivos, the Humanist Institute for Development Cooperation, wants to contribute to. Together with local organisations in developing countries, Hivos strives for a world in which all citizens – both men and women – have equal access to resources and opportunities for development.
Hivos is a Dutch non-governmental organisation guided by humanist values. A number of its core values are human dignity and self determination, an aversion to dogmas and totalitarian regimes, and a sense of mutual solidarity. The organisation is committed to poor and marginalised peoples in Africa, Asia and Latin America. It strives for the long-term improvement of their circumstances and for the empowerment of women in particular.
Hivos is a non-governmental organisation with a societal goal which plays a public role. Hivos is one of the four largest organisations in the ‘co-financing system’ of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Dutch general public, the Dutch government, other sponsors, partners and partner organisations in developing countries are the most important stakeholders.
IAMFI
IAMFI’s mission is to address the needs of commercially oriented microfinance investors, particularly Limited Partners investing through microfinance investment
vehicle (MIVs), by:
- Providing credible, comprehensive and timely information on the microfinance industry from an independent perspective
- Conducting research on investment topics not currently being assessed
- Hosting events for members to discuss interests and concerns
- Facilitating dialogue among all sector actors
- Engaging in advocacy to create an enabling environment for microfinance investing
IFAD
IFAD is dedicated to eradicating rural poverty in developing countries. Seventy-five per cent of the world's poorest people - 1.05 billion women, children and men - live in rural areas and depend on agriculture and related activities for their livelihoods. Working with rural poor people, governments, donors, non-governmental organizations and many other partners, IFAD focuses on country-specific solutions, which can involve increasing rural poor peoples' access to financial services, markets, technology, land and other natural resources.
IMP-ACT
Imp-Act (Improving Impact of Microfinance on Poverty: an Action-Research Programme) is a three year action-research programme designed to improve the quality of microfinance services and their impact on poverty through strengthening the development of impact assessment systems. Website also includes a useful events and programme newsletter.
Imp-Act supports microfinance institutions (MFIs) in developing their own social performance management (SPM) systems. These systems use a range of tools, including market research and impact assessment, to respond to client needs and the priorities of MFIs. Information from these systems can improve internal decision-making and accountability to external stakeholders.
MFW4A
The Partnership for Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A) is an initiative to support the efforts of African countries to boost economic growth and fight poverty by encouraging and facilitating financial sector development.
Microcredit Summit Campaign
The Campaign brings together microcredit practitioners, advocates, educational institutions, donor agencies, international financial institutions, non-governmental organizations and others involved with microcredit to promote best practices in the field, to stimulate the interchanging of knowledge, and to work towards reaching our goals. The Microcredit Summit Campaign is a project of the RESULTS Educational Fund, a U.S.-based grassroots advocacy organization committed to ending hunger and poverty. To find out more about RESULTS and its International Affiliates.
Microfinance Gateway
The Microfinance Gateway is the most comprehensive online resource for the global microfinance community. The website features research and publications, original articles, organization and consultant profiles, and the latest industry announcements, news, events, and job opportunities.
MixMarket
The MIX MARKET ™ is a global, web-based, microfinance information platform. It provides information to sector actors and the public at large on microfinance institutions (MFIs) worldwide, public and private funds that invest in microfinance, MFI networks, raters/external evaluators, advisory firms, and governmental and regulatory agencies. The MIX Market seeks to develop a transparent information market to link MFIs worldwide with Investors and Donors and promote greater investment and information flows.
Rural Finance Learning Center -RFLC
This is a website dedicated to providing access to the best materials for capacity building in the field of rural finance.
Rural Poverty Portal
Powered by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Rural Poverty Portal is a website where rural poor people, policy-makers, donors, research institutes, non-governmental organizations and other development partners can share information about eradicating rural poverty.
SEEP Network
The SEEP network is an association of more than 56 North American private and voluntary organisations which support micro and small enterprise programmes in the developing world.The Network aims are :
- To define and promote professional standards among its membership
- To provide a forum for members to engage in joint research and training
- To develop and disseminate publications for field use
- Serve as a communications centre on sectoral issues of broad concern.
Social Performance Task Force
The Social Performance Task Force consists of over 350 leaders from all over the world from every microfinance stakeholder group: practitioners, donors and investors (multilateral, bilateral, and private), national and regional networks, technical assistance providers, rating agencies, academics and researchers, and others. Created in March 2005, the Task Force has been charged with clearly defining social performance and addressing questions about measuring and managing social performance.
Women’s World Banking Network
WWB seeks to improve the economic status of poor families in developing countries by unleashing the power inherent in women. Drawing on its global diversity, resources and experience, WWB works to strengthen its network of microfinance organizations and banks, all of which share its commitment to helping poor women access financial services and information.
Women’s World Banking was established in 1979 to be a voice and change agent for poor women entrepreneurs who lacked access to financial services. Its goal is to continue to build a network of strong financial institutions around the world and to ensure that the rapidly changing field of microfinance remains committed to women as clients, innovators and leaders.
