Microfinance Practice: [MFP] Community-Based Microfinance for Financial Inclusion Certificate course, Ethiopia

Hello everyone,

Greetings for 2016!

I am pleased to share this announcement for the upcoming Community Based Microfinance for Financial Inclusion Certificate course, hosted at WISE (Women in Self Employment) Ethiopia.

Women practitioners are especially encouraged to apply.

With best wishes for the new year,

Anuj

Community-Based Microfinance for Financial Inclusion

March 21 - April 1, 2015
Ethiopia

This course charts the journey from microcredit and microfinance to financial inclusion, with the focus on community owned and based approaches. Participants will study successful models such as Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Self-Help-Groups (SHGs), Financial Cooperatives and Credit Unions, latest developments in these models, and learn about innovations such as bank linkages, mobile banking, and value-chain finance.

Personal benefits

Understand the role of financial services in inclusive economy and the role of community-based microfinance institutions in enhancing financial inclusion and linking those institutions with formal financial institutions
Understanding the financial behaviour of low-income population groups to learn the principles of designing more appropriate financial products, especially savings, insurance, payment services, value-chain finance, and innovative models of community-based financing
Obtain an in-depth understanding of different community-based microfinance models such as village savings and loan associations (or savings groups), self-help groups, SACCOs, and credit unions to learn about the ways in which different member-owned institutions apply cooperative principles to ensure the delivery of appropriate financial products
Learn about the regulations, structures, and practices for balancing flexibility and risk management in different community-based microfinance models
Explore real-world examples of establishing multi-tier institutions and networks, building linkages with private sector financial institutions, use of mobile banking, and opportunities and challenges of financial products delivered by agriculture coops
Learn about national regulatory policies and supervision structures for community-based microfinance models, and the importance of self-regulation
Gain valuable hands-on knowledge through visits to successful community-based microfinance institutions, interaction with leading sector practitioners, and intensive exchange with peers

Organizational benefits

Develop strategies for strengthening program design, management, and product design capacities in community-based microfinance programming in remote rural areas and underserved urban communities
Develop strategies for banks, formal microfinance institutions, and various value-chain actors to reach informal savings groups and serve them effectively
Enhance capacity to analyse macro policies and identify research priorities to enable families operating in the informal sector to participate more meaningfully in the economy
Develop approaches to integrate community-based microfinance models into strategies for improving food security, building sustainable livelihoods, enhancing women’s empowerment, and attaining broad development outcomes

Who should take the Program?

This program is intended for mid-to-senior-level practitioners from NGOs, financial cooperatives, rural finance institutions, MFIs and bankers interested in serving rural regions; and also for banking regulators and government officials, trainers, and donors engaged in financial inclusion agenda. Two years’ work experience in microfinance or in the field of economic development is desirable.

Scholarships

A few partial or full scholarships are available for deserving applicants. Women are especially encouraged to apply.

Scholarships are available through The MasterCard Foundation Microfinance Scholars Program for this certificate.

How to Apply

Applicants should apply as soon as possible. Applications are assessed as soon as they are received so apply early to ensure time for making travel and visa arrangements.