May 7 - May 18, 2012 (two weeks) Application Closed
May 6 - May 17, 2013 (two weeks)

Community-Based Microfinance

What you can expect

This two-week certificate focuses on building your skills and knowledge of innovative community-based microfinance methodologies that have significant potential, not only for broad outreach in remote rural regions, but also for improved leadership capacity and self-reliance. The methodologies emphasize savings-led, member owned models, such as savings groups/village savings and loan groups, self-help groups, small co-ops and large financial cooperatives.

The program builds on the premise that access to financial services is often a critical support for managing livelihoods and lives, and can become a driver for social change. If you are unable to come to our campus, you may be interested in our online course which is being offered from February 24 to June 15, 2012.

Facilitators: Anuj Jain and CS Reddy

Personal benefits

  • Learn the methodologies and perspectives behind community-based microfinance, with case studies and experiences around the world.
  • Build practical skills in microfinance program design and implementation, and to customize it for different contexts and communities.
  • Learn strategies and skills for program and business planning for CBMF/member-owned institutions.
  • Fulfill your personal learning agenda through a personal research project that is guided by an experienced microfinance professional.

Organizational benefits

  • Program management skills for designing and implementing community-based microfinance programs in remote rural areas and other under-served communities
  • Incorporate social and community development goals as key indicators within your respective microfinance programs, methodology and product designs.

Who is best suited for the program?

This course is ideal for mid to senior-level managers in NGOs, rural finance practitioners, MFIs and bankers, government agencies responsible for financial inclusion, central bank or government regulators, capacity builders, and donors promoting community-based approaches in microfinance. You should have a minimum of two years' experience in microfinance.

Podcast: A feature interview recorded May 11, 2011 with the Coady's Anuj Jain and CS Reddy of APMAS, India. Where is microfinance headed? 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.

Education