the mif blog

Stories of inspiring entrepreneurs and organizations, discussion and commentary of new trends in private sector development, and the latest events and publications.

Stuck on how to get involved in microinsurance?

feb. 19, 2014

Por Shoshana Grossman-Crist


Does this sound familiar? Over the last few months, you and your colleagues have had a number of discussions on getting involved in microinsurance. Clear data on its benefits to clients is flowing in— maybe you read the ILO’s review on the impact of microinsurance and accompanying infographic.  Evidence on the viability of business models is becoming stronger— perhaps you saw Craig Churchill and Michael McCord’s presentation on “the magical balance” from the International Microinsurance Conference last November. Yet even as the fundamental role that microinsurance plays in financial inclusion and protection of low-income people is becoming clearer, the gap in coverage persists. In Latin America and the Caribbean, 350 million low-income people do not have insurance.

#QueCambiarías: Reflexiones finales

feb. 11, 2014

Por Claudia Moreno

 


En noviembre de 2013 arrancamos con la campaña #quecambiarías, aprovechando el vigésimo aniversario del FOMIN, a fin de recopilar ideas sobre lo que la gente quisiera cambiar en la región para apoyar el desarrollo. Vimos que la mayoría de sus respuestas se podían agrupar en cuatro temas principales dentro de los cuales los emprendedores y la innovación fueron los más populares. Los otros dos temas recurrentes fueron el apoyo a los jóvenes y mejoras comunitarias. 

A continuación, compartimos con ustedes algunas reflexiones sobre los comentarios recibidos durante la campaña:

Building up biz in the Caribbean: investigating demand for microcredit

feb. 11, 2014

Por Ryan Tang

Despite efforts from microfinance practitioners and donors to develop microfinance in the Caribbean, uptake of formal microcredit has lagged behind expectations in some cases. Meanwhile, anecdotal evidence indicates that many microentrepreneurs continue to use informal financing alternatives, such as rotating savings and credit associations (ROSCAs), moneylenders, and supplier credit. This raises important questions about the potential for microfinance in the Caribbean. Why do some microentrepreneurs still turn to informal mechanisms instead of formal microcredit to finance their business? What characteristics of financing are most important to Caribbean microentrepreneurs? 

Crowdfunding: Pequeñas aportaciones para grandes proyectos

feb. 6, 2014

Por Xoan Fernandez


En FOMIN hemos podido comprobar que algunos problemas a los que se enfrentan los pequeños emprendedores en América Latina son recurrentes: el bajo monto de sus emprendimientos así como su informalidad los hacen poco atractivos para la banca tradicional, su red social alejada de las instituciones financieros o su condición de personas excluidas socialmente por género u origen étnico. Si además el emprendimiento tiene una orientación social, o es demasiado innovador o lo promueve una persona sin experiencia, lo más probable es que ese proyecto empresarial nunca encuentre el financiamiento adecuado.  

Listado de plataformas de Crowdfunding en Latinoamérica.

The Savings Group Revolution

feb. 4, 2014

Por Guest


Photo from Ashe's 2013 publication Deep Outreach Financial Inclusion

A blog written by Jeffrey Ashe, Adjunt Associate Prof. Brandeis and Columbia University. 

Vea la versión en español del blog en el blog de ProAhorros

The market for better financial services is vast. More than two billion people worldwide could benefit from a better way to save and borrow. Institutional microfinance has made an important dent in that demand; outreach has grown to 200 million borrowers in just thirty years. Except in a handful of countries, however, eight of ten of the poorest are not using banks, microfinance institutions and credit unions, even in Latin America. They are villagers and slum dwellers whose needs for saving and borrowing are too small for financial institutions to make a profit.  They need a safe convenient place to save more than they need a loan, and their needs focus more on meeting their daily expenses than on business development.
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