Grameen Foundation : What we do : Technology Programs
Technology Programs
"An individual poor person is an isolated island by himself and herself. IT can end that isolation overnight."
Professor Muhammad Yunus
Technology provides unparalleled opportunities to improve the lives of the world’s poorest people. Our Grameen Technology Center (GTC) creates innovative and sustainable solutions that bring new efficiency and access to the microfinance and international development communities. Launched in 2001 and based in Seattle, Washington, GTC was motivated by the early successes of GrameenPhone established by Professor Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh. GTC focuses on technologies that:
- Help microfinance institutions work more efficiently and effectively
- Provide poor communities with access to agriculture, healthcare, marketplace information and other services
- Create new micro-business opportunities for the poor
- Connect remote communities
With the guidance of the Technology Advisory Council, Grameen Foundation is making a significant impact on communities around the world by channeling and adapting technologies developed by the private sector and putting them to work for the microfinance and international development communities. We invite you to explore these pages to learn more about GTC’s programs and how our products and services are changing lives around the world:
- Our Mifos initiative is building software that will improve MFI efficiency and serve as a universal platform for further innovation.
- The Technology Readiness team guides MFIs on adopting and integrating technology into their operations.
- Village Phone works with microfinance institutions and local telecommunications providers to bring much-needed telecommunications access to the rural poor.
- ICT Innovation is developing new ways to use existing technologies to serve the poor through its Application Laboratory, Community Knowledge Worker, and Mobile Technology for Community Health initiatives.
Grameen Foundation : What we do : Technology Programs
Grameen Foundation uses microfinance and innovative technology to fight global poverty and bring opportunities to the world's poorest people. With tiny loans and financial services, we help the poor, mostly women, start businesses and escape poverty. Our global network of 55 microfinance institution (MFI) partners including our Growth Guarantee partners has touched more than 34 million people in 24 countries. In addition, we introduced and now sustain technology initiatives (Mifos and Village Phone) in Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda, bringing our total country outreach to 28.
+1-202-628-3560 www.grameenfoundation.org
You can help