ACTION GROUPS

Outreach to rural areas is a challenging area in microfinance and innovative approaches are therefore very much needed.

The Innovation for Rural Outreach Action Group has been leading discussions and activities related to the subject of value chain finance and community based finance since 2008. Appropriate methods for bringing access to finance to smallholders can lead to the development of new rural financial  services matched to the needs of millions of smallholders within a value chain. Many organisations are defining their policies and programs around value chain finance (VCF) and value chain development (VCD). For this reason, the Action Group has decided to focus its efforts on gathering and communicating lessons learned and on sharing an overview of publications on these subjects.

Action Group outputs for 2010

1. CD on 'Value chain development and microfinance', with a review of current issues.
2. A policy statement on value chain finance providing guidance for donors and funders to be delivered during European Microfinance Week, 30th November - 1st December, 2010.
3. Session with specialised speakers on value chain finance during European Microfinance Week 2010.

Participants

Alterfin, CERISE, CIRAD, Cordaid, Credit Suisse, FAO & RFLC, GTZ, ICCO, IFAD, MICRONED, OXFAM/NOVIB, PAMIGA, BNP Paribas, Rabobank Foundation, SDC, SIDI, SOS Faim, Terrafina Microfinance, Trias, World Bank

 Publication

 To read and comment on the Statement on Value Chain Finance please click here