The MicroStart Pilot Programme Summary Presented by Special Unit for Microfinance [SUM]
(A joint venture between UNCDF and UNDP)
I. Basic data
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II. Project / program description
- Objectives
Development Objective: To contribute to poverty reduction by improving the access of low-income entrepreneurs to appropriate financial services offered by microfinance institutions on a sustainable basis.
Immediate Objective 1: Strengthen the institutional, organizational, and technical capacity of at least six organizations in each MicroStart country to provide microfinance services (both lending and savings services) to microentrepreneurs, particularly women.
Immediate Objective 2: Increase the financial capacity of participating institutions to provide microfinance services to microentrepreneurs.
Immediate Objective 3: Contribute to the development of knowledge, expertise, and information in microfinance in program countries, including the facilitation of information exchange among MicroStart participants across MicoStart Programmes.
Immediate Objective 4: Participate in the coordination and collaboration among the various actors in the microfinance sector; promote an appropriate national regulatory framework as well as deepening of the financial sector itself through the expansion of microfinance services.
Immediate Objective 5: Build local capacity to provide technical assistance on a sustainable basis and ensure the continuity of the initiatives taken in the pilot programme. - Activities / contents
The enabling environment for a MicroStart programme and its positioning within a national poverty eradication strategy is evaluated in an assessment mission. If the assessment mission is positive, a MicroStart project will consist of two integrated components * 1) a $1 million grant component in which 5 to 7 local organizations will receive grants of up to US$150,000 for on-lending and operational costs, and 2) a $500,000 technical services component in which an international best practitioner will provide technical services to local recipient organizations. Recipient organizations will be identified by the international best practitioner selected by the UNDP Country Office and confirmed by a MicroStart Advisory Board, a public-private partnership comprised a representatives of NGOs, the private sector, government, UNDP, donors and other U.N. agencies active in microfinance. The TSP will carry out an assessment of the capacity building needs of the selected institutions and develop workplans to address those needs through a series of technical assistance and training activities. Expected results will be measured via quarterly reports prepared by the Technical Service Provider [TSP] focusing on the increase in the number of clients served by MFIs, improvement in MFIs' financial sustainability, and development of institutional capacity. - Expected outcomes / impacts
Output 1.1: At least six microfinance institutions will have an increased capacity to provide microfinance services (both savings and loan services) to microentrepreneurs, particularly women.
Output 1.2: Participating institutions will increase the number of clients served by at least 25% per year, and achieve a minimum of 3,000 clients during the course of the pilot programme.
Output 1.3: Access to microfinance services will enable clients to raise incomes through income generating activities and accumulate savings.
Output 2.1: Each participating institution will have in place a coherent planning and budgeting process, and systems to monitor and evaluate program performance.
Output 2.2: Participating institutions will cover at least 60% of their operating costs by the end of the pilot programme.
Output 2.3: Participating institutions will have a viable strategy for building their loan portfolio through capitalization, grants, and loans to ensure the stability of the institution as a whole.
Output 3.1: Mechanisms for information exchange will be established allowing for dialogue and information sharing among MicroStart participants including TSPs, MFIs, and Country Offices.
Output 3.2: Participants will benefit from lessons learned both in-country and through dialogue with MicroStart programs in other countries.
Output 4.1: Participating institutions will be linked to existing microfinance networks.
Output 5.1: The managerial and technical capacity of the local technical service provider and the UHNDP focal points will be increased through participation in trainings, workshops, and linkages to the global network of MicroStart programmes. - Features in line with the Agenda for Action
Underlying Principle (Ownership and Partnership):
The MicroStart Advisory Board will play a critical role in the successful implementation of the MicroStart programme through its decision making and general oversight functions. This Board is a public private partnership among stakeholders including representatives of NGOs, government, the private sector, the donor community, UNDP, and other UN agencies.
Approaches (South-South Capacity Building)
Because many of the leading microfinance institutions shortlisted as technical service providers come from Asia and Africa, MicroStart presents an excellent opportunity for both South-South collaboration as well as Asia-Africa collaboration.
SUM will facilitate dialogue among all MicroStart participants -- the Country Offices, technical service providers, and microfinance institutions -- so that participants can benefit from various country experiences.
Crosscutting Themes (Mainstreaming Gender)
A primary MicroStart objective is to improve MFI capacity to reach women clients. The shortlisted TSPs were selected in part based on their ability to provide technical assistance to MFIs to develop service delivery mechanisms and loans products specifically aimed at serving women.
Action Plan (Poverty Reduction)
MicroStart aims to 1) widen access to credit, 2) increase incomes of borrowers, and 2) encourage asset accumulation through savings services.
Action Plan (Private Sector)
MicroStart addresses private sector goals through its objective to 1) deepen and grow the financial sector by supporting the growth of savings and credit services, and 2) enhance the managerial and technical capacity of private sector players in financial service delivery including the local technical service provider, microfinance institutions, and their clients.
III. Contact point:
Special Unit for Microfinance [SUM], a joint partnership between UNCDF and UNDP
focusing on microfinance activities.
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