Community-Based Microfinance

May 6 to May 17, 2013 (Application Closed)

What you can expect

This two-week certificate course focuses on building skills and knowledge in community-based approaches to microfinance. The course emphasis is on savings-led models, such as village savings and loan associations (VSLAs), self-help groups (SHGs), financial cooperatives and credit unions, and other member-owned microfinance models from across the world.

Community-based approaches are critical for achieving deeper financial inclusion and to reach those who are not served by banks or even microfinance institutions. These approaches not only provide access to financial services, but also build solidarity and social capital, especially among women and other unreached communities, and empower them to manage their livelihoods and lives.

Participants will learn about latest developments and innovations in the field through in-depth case-studies, field visits, and with experienced guest faculty / practitioners. The course brings together the right mix of practice and theory and shares practical tools and material. 

Facilitators: Anuj Jain and CS Reddy

Personal benefits

  • Improve your microfinance programs by learning about sound practices and innovations in community-based approaches to microfinance from around the world.
  • Build practical skills in designing and managing context-appropriate microfinance programs; access tools and training material for planning and implementation.
  • Gain in-depth understanding on subjects such as product design, governance, networking and II tier institutions, linkages with banks, financial literacy and education, enabling environment, links between microfinance and livelihoods and markets, strategies for creating women’s empowerment and social impact. 
  • Learn with global sector leaders, fellow practitioners, and experienced facilitators.
  • Access global online libraries through St. Francis Xavier University.  

Organizational benefits

  • Strengthen program design and management capacity in community-based microfinance approaches to reach remote rural regions and underserved urban slum communities.
  • Incorporate community based microfinance as a key strategy for strengthening food security, livelihoods, women’s empowerment programs, and for achieving broader social and community development goals.
  • Increase program outreach and impact by linking informal community groups with formal financial institutions and other market actors.
  • Strengthen capacity to analyse policy issues and influence financial inclusion agenda.

Who is best suited for the program?

Ideal for mid-to-senior-level people in NGOs, financial cooperatives, rural finance practitioners, MFIs and bankers serving informal groups, regulators and government agencies, trainers, and donors promoting community-based approaches to microfinance. Two years' experience in microfinance or economic development field is desirable.

Specific scholarships are available through The MasterCard Foundation's Scholar's Program for certificates in the Coady Institute's Community-Based Microfinance and Livelihoods and Markets.

  • Podcast: Hear an audio interview with Anuj Jain, facilitator of our Community-Based Microfinance certificate course. Anuj discusses program benefits and who is best suited to take this course.
  • Podcast: A feature interview recorded May 11, 2011 with the Coady's Anuj Jain and CS Reddy of APMAS, India. Where is microfinance headed in 2011 and beyond? Why the controversy over commercial microfinance? How is microfinance by member-based organizations different?


This is also offered on location in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Click here for more information.

You can consider applying for Mobilizing Assets for Community Driven Development and Livelihoods and Markets courses. Both are offered during Spring of 2013.