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Review of Microfinance Studies Finds Many Flaws, No Conclusions
What do we know about microfinance—often touted as the solution for the economic woes of developing countries? Practically nothing, say researchers from UConn's Department of Agricultural and Resources and Economics.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment
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Four Key Challenges Facing India’s Local Energy Enterprises During COVID-19 – And 16 Ways Funders Can Help
COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on last-mile energy companies. SELCO Foundation recently conducted surveys and conversations with 33 local Indian energy enterprises about the challenges they're facing. Sarah Alexander explores what these businesses shared about how governments, investors, philanthropies and other stakeholders can support them.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy, Finance, Social Enterprise
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Viewpoint: Investing in Digital Agriculture Can Help Africa Beat This Pandemic
We need to bridge Africa's data gap to strengthen food, health and economic security, and overcome a predicted continent-wide recession
- Categories
- Agriculture, Coronavirus, Technology
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Tags
- digital payments, NGOs, startups
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Emergency Funding and COVID-19 Crisis Counseling for Miller Center Entrepreneurs
Back in March and April, the folks at the Pollinate Group were in a state of emergency, like most small businesses around the world. For the past seven years, the Melbourne, Australia-based enterprise had trained and developed women in poor areas in India and Nepal, teaching them the skills needed to sell solar lights, clean cookstoves and other products likely to improve community members’ quality of life.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Energy
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How Socially-Led Innovation Can Bring Positive Change in Unchartered Times
In my work with Microsoft 4Afrika I have had a front row seat to the innovation and creativity many African startups have employed to address pressing economic and social gaps and needs. Whether it’s using agri-tech to improve farmer crop yields, using technology to deliver finance solutions to the previously unbanked or pairing solar power and IoT to solve power reliability issues, African innovation is alive and thriving, and the Covid-19 pandemic has only fanned these flames of ingenuity.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Investing
- Tags
- NGOs, social enterprise
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Small Business and WASH in the Age of Coronavirus
Since the coronavirus began spreading throughout the world, few things have been unaffected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our activities to develop markets for WASH products and services are no exception.
- Categories
- Coronavirus, Education, Health Care, WASH
- Tags
- NGOs
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Egypt’s Msmeda Aims to Finance 200k Micro Projects With $187.2M in 2020
MSMEDA developed and rehabilitated six NGOs in five governorates to raise their financial and administrative performance
- Categories
- Finance
- Region
- North America
- Tags
- business development, NGOs
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Oxfam to Close in 18 Countries and Cut 1,500 Staff Amid Coronavirus Pressures
Oxfam currently operates in 66 countries and 20 affiliates. It will retain a physical presence in 48 countries, six of which it will explore as new independent affiliate members.
- Categories
- Coronavirus
- Tags
- global development, NGOs