Blog

Carolina Trivelli, Institute of Peruvian Studies, on IPS's current project in rural savings

Isabelle Ouellet discuses DID's long involvement in international development and recently an agricultural finance project in Sri Lanka.

Sanabel hosts 8th Annual Conference "Microfinance in the Arab Region: Challenges of the Past and Opportunities of the Future"

Chuck Waterfield of discusses MFTransparency's current reach in the microfinance industry

Chuck Waterfield of MFTransparency and Sebastian von Stauffenberg of MicroRate explained important steps for expanding transparency and evaluation of microfinance institutions

The global ubiquity of mobile technology is an opportunity to bring a wide range of services to underserved populations instead of just talk and text alone.

Bill Maurer provides key takeways from his presentation at USAID's Mobile Financial Services Seminar

In their research on the Ghanaian citrus and the Kenyan sweet potato value chains, Jennefer Sebstad and Cristina Manfre were focused on the barriers and development constraints that especially prevent women from upgrading.

At the Cracking the Nut Conference in Washington DC, Anita Campion, President of AZMJ, discusses the history and her inspirations for the conference.

Looking outside traditional microcredit methods.

In March, the World Bank and Russian Ministry of Finance signed an agreement to create a $25 million project to encourage more citizens with middle and low incomes to save regularly as well as to participate in financial services.

Maria Luisa Haymen provides key takeaways from her presentation at USAID After Hours #54, "Government Payments and Savings: A Last Mile Approach."  Maria Luisa Hayem is a consultant at the MIF’s Access to Finance Unit, where she works on projects to promote financial inclusion of low-income individuals.

Twitter highlights from day one of the Making Cents Conference.

The message from the opening plenary at the Making Cents International Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference was clear: youth employment is more important than ever.

Ambassador Donald Steinberg, Deputy Administrator at USAID, discusses USAID's new approach towards youth and development.

Technology panelists share their insights from the plenary "How Is Technology Causing Breakthroughs in Youth Economic Opportunity?"

Guest blogger Brenda Schuster (Youth and HIV Technical Advisor for Catholic Relief Services) reports back on the Making Cents Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference’s final morning plenary session, “Youth Economic Opportunity in the MENA Region.” This session included Brandee McHale, COO of Citi Foundation, Svava Bjarnason, IFC Senior Education Specialist, Jamie McAuliffe, President and CEO of the Education for Employment Foundation, and Awais Sufi, Vice President for Work Programs at the International Youth Foundation.

Upgrading has implications for the workforce and means that needs are constantly changing. In developing countries, it could be that a whole host of skills and occupations totally unknown today will be totally essential in three years’ time.

Moderator Tim Nourse stressed the importance of fostering partnerships with donors rather than solely focusing on getting programs funded.

The panelists jumped right into the session with their thoughts on the most exciting technology-related breakthroughs in the field.

Peter Coy, Bloomberg Businessweek provides key takeaways from the opening plenary at the Making Cents International Conference.

Mike Rios of 17 Triggers provides insights from the plenary session, "Entertainment for Change-- Effective Uses of Entertainment Education, Social Media and Social Marketing."

Only a third of youth in the Arab world believe their education has prepared them to get a job, according to a recent study by the Education for Employment Foundation.

Watch video interviews with the presenters from After Hours Seminar #52, "The State of Microfinance and Financial Inclusion: Thoughts from Industry Leaders." Shari Berenbach, Director of the Microenterprise Development office at USAID; Sam Daley-Harris, Director of the Microcredit Summit Campaign; and Tilman Ehrbeck, CEO of CGAP provide key insights on financial inclusion and the future of microfinance.

Making Cents Conference: Dr Sanjaya Acharya discusses the current youth oriented finance restructuring in Nepal