Building Financial Systems for the Poor H Ho ow wD Do on no orrss C Caan nM Maakkee aa D Diiffffeerreen nccee

A Sttaaffff,, S Soocciiaalllyy R Reessppoonnssiibbllee IInnvveessttoorrss aanndd A 55--ddaayy TTrraaiinniinngg C Coouurrssee ffoorr D Doonnoorr S P Poolliiccyy M Maakkeerrss 44 C Coouurrsseess PPllaannnneedd iinn 22000055!! O Orrggaanniizzeedd bbyy CCG GAAPP aanndd U UN NCCD DFF The Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP), a consortium of 28 bilateral and multilateral donor agencies that support microfinance, and the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) are organizing a series of five-day training courses that translate the vision of financial systems for the poor into concrete actions for donor staff.

TThhee FFooccuuss The world of microfinance is changing quickly. Just a few years ago, the term “microfinance” was fairly well defined as the application of appropriate techniques to extend credit to target groups for enterprise development or some other specific purpose. Today, microfinance means offering a broad range of financial services to a wide variety of poor clients. It means opening up the financial sector to ensure that the poor enjoy permanent access to services they need. It means providing poor people with options.

TThhee CCoouurrssee The course focuses on the role of donors in supporting financial systems that work for the majority. Participants will learn about current trends in microfinance based on international experience. They will identify the role, objectives and strategies of donors and other players and develop techniques to analyze and monitor microfinance investments. The course is designed with the following specific objectives, providing an intensive learning opportunity to explore a variety of topics with colleagues and experts from around the world: f f f f f f

Explain the importance of financial services for poor people Formulate a vision for large-scale access to financial services Clarify the role and comparative advantage of donor agencies in building financial services for the poor Apply appraisal techniques and performance-based tools to support pro-poor financial institutions Promote an enabling environment and transparency with donor support Determine specific donor strategies and action plans

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7 – 11 February 2005: Benin –in French language 4 – 8 April 2005: Kazakhstan 7 – 10 June 2005: New York 6 – 10 November 2005: Jordan Please contact [email protected] for an updated and more detailed schedule

M Meetthhooddoollooggyy The methodology and learning tools employed reflect the state of the art in active, participatory-based, adult education. Course sessions will focus on applying learning to real-world situations and include presentations, case studies and interactive group work. The course is highly practical and participants will apply the techniques learnt step by step to analyze, decide and design microfinance investments. Course participants will also have the opportunity to visit best practice financial institutions in the country where the workshop is being held, unless otherwise noted.

CCoouurrssee aaggeennddaa PPAAR RTT II Introduction to Financial Systems for the Poor • Clients at the Center: Use and Impact of Financial Services for the Poor • The Continuing Evolution of Financial Services for the Poor • The New Vision: Access for All • The Role of Donors: Comparative Advantage, Interventions, and Instruments • The Role of Donors: Effectiveness, Comparative Advantage, and Coordination

PPAAR RTT IIII Donor Investments in Financial Institutions • Institutional Appraisals: A Comprehensive Framework • Non-financial Factors in Appraisals • The Numbers: Financial Factors • The Decision: To Fund or Not to Fund (and How) • Field Visit to Financial Service Providers

PPAAR RTT IIIIII

PPAAR RTT IIVV

Donor Investments in Building Financial Systems for the Poor • Conducive Policies for Pro-poor Financial Systems: Macro and sector policies and strategies, legal and regulatory frameworks, industry standards • Real People Building Financial Systems: Panel with Practitioners and Experts from Indonesia

Actions to Incorporate Financial Systems for the Poor in Donor Agency Programmes • Moving Forward: Agency Action Plans • Closure: What Have We Learned and How Can We Apply It?

Q Quuootteess ffrroom m PPaarrttiicciippaannttss ooff PPrreevviioouuss CCoouurrsseess “The training was excellent-- and the field visit was the highlight of my trip. Bringing the training to the field was a plus factor because it highlighted how dynamic and varied the microfinance field is.”

“I would like to thank you again for providing us with such a wonderful five-day workshop. I think we learned a lot about internationally recognized practices and methods.”

“I have really enjoyed this training; I have just been assigned a new microfinance portfolio therefore the timing is just right.”

“I want to congratulate UNCDF and CGAP for the good organization of this very important and useful training course.”

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The course is designed for CGAP member donors, UN agency staff, other donors, socially responsible investors and policy makers. No extensive prior knowledge of financial statements and microfinance concepts is required.

Course core faculty is composed of experienced microfinance trainers from the specialist teams of CGAP and UNCDF. Guest speakers are leading implementers and investors in the country’s microfinance industry.

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Each participant will be awarded a diploma upon satisfactory participation in the course.

The course will be conducted in English unless otherwise indicated.

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Course tuition is US$ 1,500. Breaks, events, field trips, texts and materials are covered by tuition. Participants are responsible for travel and accommodation. Cancellation within 15 days prior to a course will incur a charge. An early registration bonus of US$ 200 may apply for applicants who register 12 – 10 weeks before a course.

For more information including application forms and deadlines please visit www.cgap.org/direct/special/Training.html or www.uncdf.org/english/microfinance/cgap_uncdftraining.html or contact [email protected]