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2012 Annual Conference and the 1st African SPM Conference
from 24/09/2012 to 29/09/2012
Kampala (Uganda)
The Africa Microfinance Network (AFMIN) will organize its 11th Annual Conference
and the 1st African SPM Conference in Kampala, Uganda, from September 24th to 29th, 2012
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Social Performance
Social performance, or the social bottom line, is about making an organization's social mission a reality. The Social Performance Task Force defines social performance as: "The effective translation of an institution's social mission into practice in line with accepted social values that relate to serving larger numbers of poor and excluded people; improving the quality and appropriateness of financial services; creating benefits for clients; and improving social responsibility of an MFI."
Social performance measures are necessary to determine whether microfinance institutions are meeting the social goals set out in their missions. While financial measures - the most common performance indicators for microfinance – are necessary, they say little about whether social goals are being met. For example, an institution could be financially sustainable and considered extremely successful in financial terms, but charge very high interest rates and push its clients into over-indebtedness. Though this problem would not be revealed by financial indicators, it could ultimately create an institutional crisis and prevent the MFI from fulfilling its mission.
On the other hand, tracking social performance, and using that information to tailor services to improve client conditions, not only assists clients but also brings in better business for institutions. MFI managers need social performance data to meet both financial and social goals.
Further, simple social performance indicators are powerful marketing tools. They provide tangible indicators of achievement and attract funding from donors and social investors.
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