Background

In the last three decades microfinance sector has seen considerable growth. There are approximately 700-800 microfinance organizations that are offering credit and other microfinance services to the poor across the country. Learning from their own as well as others’ experiences these organizations have developed diverse models and approaches, which best suits their context. Realizing the significance of microfinance as an effective approach to poverty alleviation, there are number of national as well as international bodies willing to provide support and congenial environment for the microfinance organizations to operate and thrive.

On the demand side, there are 750 crore (600 rural and 150 urban) poor households that require access to credit and their annual credit demand is estimated to be around 51 thousand crores. Even with existing microfinance organizations the outreach has been a meager 10% of the poor households. In order to be able to bridge this huge demand-supply gap, on one hand we need more mf organizations and on the other the existing ones need to expand at a rate to commensurate the demand.

The microfinance is poised for a tremendous growth and there are number of sources willing to support the mFIs which are onto this path of growth. But to be able to move into this stage the microfinance organizations need to have a basic understanding of microfinance and the issues involved with operating in the sector. So the need of the day is to stop and understand mF, the sector, the various models, best practices and limitations and then revisit our own mF programme, then to chart out a plan to fulfill our vision, streamline our activities and carry out the mF programme.

Training Objectives

In this context the training programme "Getting the Basics of mF Right" aims to fulfill the following objectives. By the end of the training programme;

The objective underlying the training programme is to equip the participants with a bird’s eye view of the microfinance sector and initiate the process of strategizing for the growth of their organizations at a pace that is demanded by the sector today.

Contents

The core components of the training programme would be:

1. Microfinance – a perspective
2. Approaches to mF
3. What makes the mFIs work
4. Developing strategies – path to sustainability
5. Challenges and the Road ahead

Training Methodology

This training will be practical and participatory. We shall focus on the nuts and bolts of mF by using real life case studies and help participants to gain a bird’s eye view of the microfinance sector. Training will be carried out in small groups to meet the needs of individual participants.

A variety of learning methods are employed to stimulate interest and meet the differing needs of participants – including illustrated presentations, group exercises and discussions, case studies and practical problem solving exercises. Training, supported by secondary data, will be available for participants to take away and revisit the systems of their organizations after the course for any changes needed in the system after the course.

Participants’ Profile

Participants should be drawn from middle-level /senior level management staff in mFIs who will act as the torchbearer for their organization.

Language Requirement

As most of the instructions will be in English, spoken and written knowledge of English is a must.

Faculty

Ms. Vijayalakshmi Das, Ms. Jayshree Vyas, Ms. Ankita Sriram and Ms. Swati Chowdhary

Course Duration and Venue

March 14-18,2005 (5 days) at Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Programme Fee

The cost of the program is Rs.8,000 per participant. This includes tuition and room and board. Full and partial scholarships are available to organizations with limited resources and will be awarded on the basis of need


Nomination and Enquiries

Nominations must reach the school by 5 February 2005

Application Form

INDIAN SCHOOL OF MICROFINANCE FOR WOMEN
Course Announcement of "Getting the Basics of mF Right"
14 -18 March, 2005, Ahmedabad

For further information, please write to Ms Swati Chowdhary
Indian School of Microfinance for Women
G-07, Sakar Building I
Opp. Gandhigram Station
Ashram Road, Ahmedabad-380009
Phone: 91-79-55612304/26578486
Web: www.schoolofmicrofinance.org
Email: ismw@icenet.co.in, trainings@schoolofmicrofinance.org


Name:__________________________________________________________________

Sex: Male/Female:__________________

Correspondence Address: ___________________________________________________

Phone No.:________________________

Educational Qualifications (in order of the last degree obtained and then working backwards)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Work Experience

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Length of service in present organization _______________________________________

Current position___________________________________________________________

Level of responsibility in the organization _______________________________________

Scope of application of the knowledge gained

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Objective(s) for attending the training

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

SPONSORING ORGANISATION DETAILS

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Chief Functionary of the Organization: ________________________________________

Maturity of the Organization

a. Small/Starting up    b. Growing      c. Mature

 Type of organization (please tick the appropriate choice)

• Promoting organizations, NGOs, Technical support
• Wholesaler leading organizations
• Retailers, mFIs, Cooperative
• Federations, District Associations etc
• Networks, Training Institutes
• Universities, Research institute
• Banks and Banking Institutions
• Door Institutions
• Government institutions
• Policy, Regulatory, Legislative Bodies
• Business and professional fields related to mF
• Other (please mention)_______________________________________________
  
  
  Address:

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

Signature of the sponsoring authority with seal

Details of the programme fee

Draft no._______________________________________________________________

(Draft should be in favour of Indian School of Microfinance for Women Payable at Ahmedabad)

Last date for sending application: 5^th February 2005