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Why Is Financial Inclusion so High on the Development Agenda?
There are several clear reasons why the development community views financial inclusion as an important ingredient for economic and social progress.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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‘Financial Inclusion for Sustainable Development’: European Microfinance Week Nov. 18th – 20th
European Microfinance Week is a major annual event featuring high level, in-depth discussions by all sectors of the European microfinance community. The conference, which will take place Nov. 18th – 20th in Luxembourg, will welcome over 400 top professionals in the industry, from several dozen countries. NextBillion will be a media partner at the event, providing live tweeting, blog coverage and interviews with key participants.
- Categories
- Finance, Impact Assessment, Technology
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Previewing the Biggest SOCAP Yet: 140+ sessions, 2,500+ attendees – here’s what’s on tap at this year’s event
On Oct. 6-9, SOCAP, the leading conference on social enterprise and impact investing, will gather over 2,500 attendees at Fort Mason Center, San Francisco. SOCAP15 will feature more than 140 sessions for learning, connecting and meeting peers and potential partners. NextBillion will be a media partner at the event, and you can take advantage of the $500 discount on registration available to our readers until Sept. 30.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment, Social Enterprise
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Kresge Steps Up Social Investment Strategy, Commits to Invest $350 Million by 2020
The Kresge Foundation's board of trustees has stepped up its social investment plans with a commitment to invest $350 million, or 10 percent of the value of its endowment, in socially beneficial efforts by 2020.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Tags
- impact investing
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The Risks of Government-Led Financial Inclusion: Why agent networks in India need to move beyond government mandates
Over the years, the government of India has facilitated financial access by promoting account opening through various programs. And, at first glance, some of the numbers associated with the government's inclusion mandates look good. But a more detailed look reveals a bleak picture that includes high agent attrition and low account activity rates.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
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Women-Focused Funds Make Money, Create Controversy
Jason Baron uses an unusual metric for sizing up stocks: women. From his perch at U.S. Trust in Boston, Baron works in a small but growing part of the money-management business that’s trying to sell the idea that when it comes to investing, gender pays.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Tags
- impact investing
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Investors Avoid Impact Investing Due to Complexity, Says Barclays
Investors are avoiding putting money in projects that deliver financial returns while having a positive social or environmental impact because they believe they are too complex, according to research.
- Categories
- Impact Assessment
- Tags
- impact investing
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Rising Star or Red Flag?: South Africa’s financial inclusion growth raises questions for the entire industry
South Africa placed second in a recent Brookings Institute study comparing financial inclusion in 21 developing countries – surpassed only by Kenya. But though this has led to celebration in some quarters, there’s a troubling aspect to these findings. Illana Melzer argues that the risks of burgeoning financial access and usage are too significant for beneficiaries, development organizations and donors to ignore.
- Categories
- Education, Impact Assessment
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