-
Responsible Pricing, Profits and Self-Regulation in Microfinance: Views from the Smart Campaign
The Smart Campaign offers certification to microfinance institutions that uphold its client protection principles. In the process, it has sparked debate on topics like responsible pricing, appropriate profits and the value of self-regulation. In response to recent criticisms of its certification process, Campaign director Isabelle Barrès lays out its perspective on these three issues.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
What’s Holding Agricultural Finance Back?: The MIX describes what’s needed to help this crucial sector grow
One of the most effective ways to reduce poverty is to increase agricultural productivity. But for many farmers, access to yield-increasing technologies and inputs requires access to financial products specially tailored to their needs, which are scarce in rural areas. Xavier Martin Palomas of the MIX discusses this challenge and how financial service providers and policymakers can address it.
- Categories
- Agriculture
-
Why the World Needs Innovative Financing: Innovative financing’s “bridge” role in economic, social, and environmental development
Addressing the world’s social and environmental challenges will require trillions of dollars in investment, and mobilizing those funds will be a challenge. A new report released today by Dalberg Global Development Advisors and the Global Development Incubator describes how innovative financing can play an important role in promoting development outcomes.
- Categories
- Environment, Impact Assessment
-
An Interview With Muhammad Yunus: The Godfather of Microcredit Shares His Views – And Concerns – About the Sector
Though he’s a tireless promoter of microcredit’s potential to help the poor, Muhammad Yunus hasn’t been shy in voicing his criticisms of its embrace of commercialism. In a video Q&A with NextBillion Financial Innovation – the first in a series of conversations with microfinance thought leaders – Yunus discusses his concerns about the industry’s direction, and points to ways it could improve.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
-
The Eternal Struggle of Microfinance: The Microcredit Summit raised questions about the sector’s future – but does anyone have an answer?
As last week’s Microcredit Summit wrapped up in Mexico, the topics of over-indebtedness and high interest rates reared their ugly heads. The final day served up a riveting debate that pitted a representative of a Mexican microfinance network against one of the sector’s most vocal critics. The questions raised were crucial to the future of microfinance - but the answers remain elusive.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
-
Voices from the Summit: Eight quotes from prominent speakers on Day 2 of this week’s Microcredit Summit
By Day 2 of this week’s Microcredit Summit, we’d interviewed eight leaders and innovators in microfinance – from trenchant critics to the sector’s elder statesman, Muhammad Yunus. We’ve compiled eight quotes – one from each interview – which give a sample of some of the topics under discussion at the conference.
- Categories
- Uncategorized
-
How to Prevent the Next Health Crisis: Without vaccines, we’re vulnerable not just to Ebola, but a variety of other deadly diseases
More than 20 million kids weren’t vaccinated last year. How do we fix that problem? Dr. Utibe Effiong says we can start by engaging with more religious leaders to encourage vaccination. More importantly, we must invest in job creation to bring families out of poverty. When a family is hungry, vaccination is their last priority.
- Categories
- Health Care
-
FEATURED EVENT: The 17th Microcredit Summit, September 3-5 in Mérida, Mexico
For 17 years, the Microcredit Summits have been exploring the use of microfinance as a means to end extreme poverty. This year’s Summit, which has the theme "Generation Next: Innovations in Microfinance," will take place in Mérida, Mexico this September 3rd to 5th. NextBillion Financial Innovation will be a media partner at the event.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment