July 2006 — This brief outlines the risks and challenges that crisis management issues pose to microenterprise development programs. A group of more than 25 experienced practitioners and donors gathered to discuss these challenges, share and prioritize lessons learned and develop recommendations for effective programming. The group’s discussion and suggestions provide broad guidelines to practitioners and donors implementing or planning projects to improve microenterprise development in crisis and post-crisis environments.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 3: Economic Strengthening for Vulnerable Children
February 2008 — The programs discussed in this document work to strengthen the capacity of caregivers and communities to address economic constraints that contribute to child vulnerability. Such initiatives are vital to ensuring that children are able to consistently access essential services, including health care, education and other basic needs.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 4: Mobilization of Savings in the West Bank and Gaza
July 2008 — This brief presents an overview of national savings habits in the West Bank and Gaza and offers a series of recommendations for the government sector, the banking sector and the Palestinian Monetary Authority on how to improve overall spending rates, thereby loosening up local credit to fuel private-sector growth and job creation. A study conducted in the West Bank and Gaza by the William Davidson Institute forms the basis for the overview and recommendations.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 5: Integrating Remittance Recipients into the Financial Sector
January 2009 — Remittances comprise a $280 billion industry that affects people and communities in developing countries. This brief shares lessons learned from a two-year pilot project (2006–2008) in Guatemala implemented with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development through the FIELD-Support Leaders with Associates (LWA) program. The World Council of Credit Unions and the Guatemalan National Credit Union Federation worked to integrate remittance recipients without bank accounts into the formal financial sector and to capture this significant potential market segment. The partners developed a remittance-linked savings product to introduce recipients to formal savings accounts and other financial services.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 6: Summary of Mobile Money Study: West Bank & Gaza
October 2008 — This brief summarizes the findings of a study conducted in August 2008 to assess the feasibility of using information and communication technologies to expand access to financial services in Palestine. The goal of the study was to determine whether “branchless banking” could increase access to finance in Palestine. In particular, the researchers examined the use of mobile phones and point-of-sale devices to facilitate electronic financial transactions outside of traditional brick-and-mortar banking branches.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 7: Non-Profit Microfinance Institutions Consider Commercialization
April 2010 — In 2008 and 2009, the Expanded and Sustained Access to Financial Services (ESAF) program — funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development — and Shore Bank International worked with FATEN, one of Palestine’s largest nonprofit microfinance institutions, and Reef Finance Co., a rural agricultural microfinance institution, as they explored commercialization. This brief describes first- and second-year experiences as these institutions decided to commercialize their operations.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 8: Partnering to Improve Access to Irrigation in Rural Peru
September 2010 — Drought, climate change and inefficient irrigation have led to declining agricultural productivity in Peru. This brief describes a pilot project that explored innovative ways to make irrigation more accessible to rural farmers in Peru, which would improve yields and reduce waste. The team tested a partnership approach that brought together microfinance institutions, irrigation technology companies, local government offices, and small producers and traders to improve water use, increase farmer income and demonstrate how to implement similar scalable initiatives. The brief includes a detailed chart of stakeholder activities during the project’s implementation and a discussion of lessons learned.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief 10: Spurring Entrepreneurship Through Business Plan Competitions: An Exploration of the TechnoServe Model in Haiti
March 2010 — More than a year after a devastating earthquake destroyed much of Haiti’s infrastructure, micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises remain a driving force for rebuilding Haiti’s economy. One of the critical factors in this process has been increasing the flow of financial products and services to businesses in value chains that have the greatest potential for growth.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 11: Exploring the Linkages between Food Security and Microfinance
April 2010 — Food insecurity as a dimension of poverty is one metric used to measure program impact. This brief describes a study conducted by FINCA International that explored the linkages between food security, livelihoods and access to finance in Guatemala and Zambia. The researchers surveyed random samples of 300 clients in each country, conducted focus groups and studied the literature. Their findings indicate that access to financial services is correlated with improved dietary diversity and suggest ways to enhance households’ food security.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 12: Accelerating Youth Enterprise through Partnership
November 2012 — This brief describes an innovative partnership model in the Caribbean region that helped youth to kick-start their business ideas. The Eastern Caribbean Youth Microenterprise Program (ECYMP) — implemented by FHI 360 and its partner EcoVentures — sought to accelerate the creation of sustainable livelihoods and employment opportunities for vulnerable youth (ages 16 to 30) by supporting both increased employment and the establishment of small businesses by and for youth in Barbados and four Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Lucia and St. Vincent. ECYMP piloted a unique market-driven approach to youth entrepreneurship development that sought to build the capacity of, and transfer needed skills to, local youth-serving organization partners.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 13: An Anchor Firm Approach to Strengthening Value Chain Competitiveness
December 2011 — This brief explores how the Programa de Desarrollo Economico Local (PRODEL) project in Ecuador builds on the important roles both private and public sectors play in overcoming obstacles to sustained economic growth. Some of these obstacles are producers’ physical isolation, their limited knowledge of end-market requirements, difficulty in accessing financing for working capital or investments and challenges attaining economies of scale for profitable participation in value chains. Key to PRODEL’s design is the recognition that lead firms, or anchor firms, have a significant capacity to increase the economic potential and outputs of low-income farming communities in Ecuador. The team describes the four-step process PRODEL uses to select and strengthen strategic anchor firms, strengthen producers and foster financing.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 14: Leveraging New Media to Gain Program Donor Support
July 2011 — The World Council of Credit Unions (WOCCU) created the MatchSavings.org program and website to use the success of online microlending to encourage microsavings among the poor. This brief describes WOCCU’s experiences and lessons learned in testing viral marketing techniques to communicate the effectiveness of savings as a way to alleviate poverty and to leverage the generosity of online communities for support. WOCCU’s approach focused on four areas crucial to sustaining funding for the program: social media marketing, website development, leveraging key influencers through public relations and email or online marketing. The lessons learned can be applied by other organizations exploring the use of social media and online fundraising for similar programs.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Report No. 15: Creating Jobs and Economic Opportunities in Iraq
September 2012 — The international development community has increased the focus and level of funding for workforce development as a means for addressing global unemployment crisis, which disparately impacts youth, women and vulnerable populations. This report presents a review of the current body of work to address job creation and employment solutions in Iraq and provides a set of implementation recommendations.
FIELD Brief 16: Facilitating Client Protection, Financial Literacy, and Consumer Awareness: Expanding Access to Sustainable Finance in the West Bank and Gaza
December 2011 — In recent years, financial crises in developed and developing economies have demonstrated that efforts to expand financial access are incomplete. In fact, these efforts can be harmful in the absence of corresponding measures to enhance financial consumer protection and awareness. Recognizing the importance of consumer protection and financial literacy for a stable, efficient and fair financial sector, the Expanded and Sustained Access to Financial Services (ESAF) program, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, implemented a major crosscutting initiative in response to identified weaknesses in the West Bank and Gaza.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 17: Internal Operational Challenges Around Rural and Agricultural Finance
May 2012 — This publication, produced by the FHI 360 Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging and Broad-Based Dissemination (FIELD)-Support LWA Program, discusses the internal operational challenges posed when implementing rural and agricultural finance. The content focuses on countries in Africa.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 18: Increasing Impact with Savings-linked Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs)
May 2012 — This brief, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging and Broad-Based Dissemination (FIELD)-Support LWA Program, describes the 2011 annual conference of FIELD-support partners. Participants explored work being done on savings-linked Conditional Cash Transfers (CCTs) in Latin America. Attendees included representatives from the World Council of Credit Unions, Fundación Capital, the Inter-American Development Bank’s Multilateral Investment Fund and the Citi Foundation.
The panel highlighted initiatives focused both on increasing the number of CCTs linked to savings accounts and encouraging recipients to build savings and financial assets through the accounts. Presenters discussed savings-linked CCT programs from three distinct perspectives: through government alliances, through market-based solutions and from the financial institution practitioner’s perspective.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 19: Making the Case for Mobile Money: A Look at Social Cash Transfers for Development
August 2012 — Social cash transfers are direct and regular resource transfers to individuals or households. The goals of these transfers are to reduce vulnerability and increase consumption. This brief outlines different channels for cash transfers and the pros and cons of each. Organizations are moving away from manual cash transfers because of high operational costs and security costs to prevent theft or fraud. This brief highlights the many benefits of mobile money.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 20: Applying Mobile Technology to Improve Business Models in Tanzania and Zambia
May 2013 — This brief shows how mobile technology can improve business processes and supply chain management to reach more people and increase development outcomes. The topics covered illustrate the lessons learned through the application of technology to business models in two Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) initiatives: mobile vouchers for agriculture in Zambia and mobile vouchers for bed-net distribution in Tanzania. Both efforts demonstrate how supporting private-sector partners to leverage mobile technology can create sustainable business models and products that reach low-income individuals.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 21: Non-Discrimination: Making Microfinance Institutions Disability Inclusive and Smart Campaign Certifiable
March 2014 — This brief describes the experiences, knowledge gained and next steps from a pilot activity implemented by The Smart Campaign in conjunction with the Center for Financial Inclusion, their disability inclusion partner Fundación Paraguaya and technical expert Handicap International. These partners designed and tested disability inclusive tools and standards. The knowledge gained from this pilot activity provides guidance for increasing disability inclusiveness among employees and clients of microfinance institutions.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
FIELD Brief No. 22: Women’s Leadership in Mexican Credit Unions
April 2014 — In 2013, the World Council of Credit Unions conducted a study that assessed the barriers to and prevalence of women in leadership positions in Mexican credit unions and identified patterns of obstacles and attributes from case histories. This brief describes the study, which included a baseline census of credit unions, surveys of men and women in leadership positions and interviews with executives. The researchers discuss their findings and suggest strategies to increase women’s participation in managing and leading credit unions, reduce gender disparities and promote women’s access to opportunities and economic growth.
This brief is part of the FIELD-Support Knowledge Series, produced by the Financial Integration, Economic Leveraging, Broad-Based Dissemination and Support (FIELD-Support) Leader with Associates (LWA) cooperative agreement, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. More information on the series can be found here: http://kdid.org/projects/field-support
