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Institute of Microfinance in order to facilitate their future and current research initiatives and enable researchers outside the Institute to get a list of readily available literatures on topics related to microfinance, has taken initiatives to start an annotated bibliography series. InM hopes that the annotated bibliography would serve the purposes of dissemination of information to the professionals, researchers, international agencies and academics as well as helping in our capacity building. Articles includes on general aspects of microfinance and on issues like microfinance borrowers, poverty, savings mobilization, loan recovery and repayment, employment, women empowerment, microfinance innovations, sustainability, competition etc. It is a unique effort to reach general readers with the theories and practices involved in microfinance of Bangladesh in a simplistic and comprehensive manner. Full paper in PDF format (624kb); Number of pages: 108p; Source: InM.

The growing of the Microfinance Institution (MFI) movement has created great expectations because the MFIs have been seen as an instrument to tackle poverty and promote micro entrepreneurship. However the exponential expansion of the industry and the newly business consciousness need to be properly tackled to avoid the microfinance movement going adrift, namely where the industry could become a tool of wealth redistribution without accumulation in presence of spot areas where it could evolve by neglecting its genuine mission.'

'Forty percent of the world's population lives on less than $2 per day, according to the World Bank. Yet even in the midst of the current economic meltdown, there is reason for new optimism in the fight to reduce global poverty. The optimism starts with the evolution of microfinance, which has proved not only that the poor are credit-worthy, but that banking institutions serving the poor are investment-worthy.'

With this manual, the Grameen Foundation introduces Village Phone Direct, a variation of the Village Phone programme. This manual provides a template for creating local, sustainable Village Phone Direct programmes that simultaneously bring telecommunication and information services to the rural poor, create viable new businesses for micro-entrepreneurs, and expand the customer base of telecommunication operators.

'This case study is the third and final in a series of three that examines how the entry of microcredit (MC) into village and household economies in Afghanistan affects informal credit relations and livelihood outcomes, either directly or indirectly, through effects on the overall village economy. It builds on past AREU research on informal credit systems, answering questions raised within that study about: the assumptions driving the introduction of microcredit in rural Afghanistan, particularly around lack of access to credit and the existence of a large, unmet demand; the successes claimed in terms of clients served and repayment rates; and how informal and formal credit systems interlink and feed off each other as well as the corresponding effects on livelihood security and debt burdens.'

This report presents the public financial management and accountability assessment (PFMAA) for Pakistan's Sindh province. The assessment uses the public expenditure and financial accountability (PEFA) 20051 framework, which comprises 31 performance indicators to evaluate (i) the six core public financial management (PFM) dimensions (credibility of the budget; transparency and comprehensiveness; policy-based budgeting; predictability and control in budget execution; accounting, recording, and reporting; and external scrutiny), and (ii) the extent to which donor practices and the management of donor funds affect the PFM systems in the country. This assessment report highlights the likely impact of PFM weaknesses on budgetary outcomes, aggregate fiscal discipline, the strategic allocation of resources, and efficient service delivery.

This guide is written for MFIs committed to managing and achieving their social mission, and the organisations that support them. Inside, you will find step-by-step guidance on integrating a social lens into your performance management systems. This practice guide draws upon experience and lessons learnt from over 45 MFIs and support organisations across the industry, detailing: - Different entry points into SPM - Case examples from the field - Key issues at each step of the process - Practical tips and clear guidance - Further resources and support Whatever your starting point, you can use this guide to strengthen the systems you use to deliberately balance your social and financial objectives.