Publications

Targeting the Poorest: A Solutions for the Poorest Use Case

Targeting and selecting groups for social development programs based on poverty levels can be a powerful first step in achieving greater impact. However, the complex nature of poverty often leads to processes that are accurate, but extremely customized, making it difficult to make comparisons across projects and geographies.

This paper presents a methodology that aims to address both these issues. It was created as part of a joint project between Grameen Foundation’s Solutions for the Poorest (SfP) program and BASIX India’s The Livelihood School (TLS).

Link to file>

Improved Business Understanding Through Data Analytics

Effective data analytics is essential for meeting the bottom line, and is even more critical when you are trying to meet a double bottom line. This case study examines how PT Ruma – a social enterprise based in Indonesia – is using social and business data to change its business practices. To ensure that it is meeting its double-bottom-line mission, Ruma tracks changes in its entrepreneurs’ economic well-being using Grameen Foundation's Progress out of Poverty Index® and links this data to its own financial health.

Link to file>

Microfinance Banana Skins 2011: What Does This Mean for People Practices?

People-related issues have consistently ranked among the top ten industry challenges in the Microfinance Banana Skins report. Peg Ross and Stephanie Denzer of Grameen Foundation's Human Capital Center analyze the concerns raised in the 2011 report, including governance, management, staffing and the overall institutional strength of microfinance institutions.

Link to file>

Volunteerism: An Old Concept, A New Business Model for Scaling Microfinance and Technology-for-Development Solutions

Excerpt: This is not volunteerism for the sake of volunteerism, but rather a new business model for solving some of the real problems impeding the scale, sustainability, and impact of microfinance and T4D initiatives. A greater and more strategic use of volunteers can help the field to realize, more rapidly, strategic and operational improvements.

Link to File>

Measuring the Impact of Microfinance: Taking Another Look

Kathleen Odell

In Measuring the Impact of Microfinance: Taking Another Look, Odell examines studies which have demonstrated that microfinance helps poor people better cope with financial shocks that often upend their lives. It also addresses the difficulties in isolating microfinance’s impact from the myriad forces at play in poor people’s lives.
Link to file>

Publications

White Papers