5 May 2008, Tunis
Fostering Links Between Diaspora Organisations and Microfinance Institutions
IVth FEMIP Conference Tunis, May 5, 2008
Leila Rispens-NoelProgramme Officer
Bureau Popular [email protected]
OXFAM NOVIB
Oxfam Novib is a member of Oxfam International, an alliance of 12 Oxfam affiliates.
In 1994, Oxfam Novib joined Oxfam International, a group of twelve independent, like-minded development organisations that are striving to achieve a more just world.
The Oxfams work together with a total of 3,000 counterparts in 100 countries.
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Main programs to support diaspora organisations (from the margins to mainstream)
1. Capacity building – facilitate conduct of trainings (project cycle management, proposal writing, microfinance, strategic planning, fund raising, deepening knowledge and understanding of development, etc.)
2. Technical and financial assistance (development projects in the countries of origin and in the Netherlands/LINKIS front offices)
3. Support and stimulate broad alliance building of transnational networks of migrants – national and international levels – through dialogues and meetings
4. Influence policy making – coherency in migration and development policies through conduct of expert meetings, workshops, debates and conferences and ensure participation of migrant leaders in important conferences/meetings
5. Remittances and Conduct of financial literacy training (personal finance, social investments, encourage diaspora philanthropy, link with MFIs)
6. Linking and learning / exchange visits (Past activities: educational trips to Mexico, Philippines, Burundi, Moluccas/Indonesia, Sudan, Somalia, and Ethiopia)
5 aims: sustainable development; education and health; peace and security; social and political participation; and gender
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Milestones: Linking diasporas with MFIs
1) 2003 Expert Meeting: The Link Between Migration and Development - The Netherlands
2) 2004 Expert Meeting: Bridging the Gap: The Role of Migrants and their Remittances in Development , The Netherlands
3) 2005 Conference: The Impact of Remittances in Latin America: Microfinance as alternative channel for remittances, Zacatecas, Mexico (INAFI Latin America)
4) 2006 Conference on Migration and Development: Microfinance and Remittances, Philippines (INAFI Asia)
5) 2007 Sponsored the holding of INAFI Global Conference on Microfinance, Remittances and Development in Cotonou, Benin
6) Commissioned research and studies 2006: Engaging Diaspora by Hein de Haas, Oxford University
7) Conducted training on Fundamentals and Methodologies of Microfinance, Financial Literacy for Diasporas, and project cycle management
8) Facilitated in linking INAFI, AFFORD (UK) and DFD (NL) to build partnership.
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Possible partnership
MFIS Diaspora Organisations
Provide remittance-based products: Money transfers, micro-insurance for migrants and families, educational and housing loans, repatriation
As investorsKnowledge sharing/transfersAccess loans and savings
Partnership with MTOs, banks Potential clients – migrants and their families; access to credit
“Pro-poor MFIs are potentially and strategically placed to provide a wider range of financial services than remittance recipients might otherwise have. – Anne Hastings, Fonkoze Haiti
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Challenges of pro-poor MFIs in entering partnership with diaspora organisations
• “Follow the money” – find out where migrants are and how they send money home
• Financial literacy for migrants and their families• Confidence-building (why should I send money through MFIs?)• Tapping/connecting with established diaspora organisations
abroad• Know their wants and needs/clear business proposals• Engage them as equal partners• MFIs meeting requirements (technological capacity, regulatory
framework, anti-money laundering law, Know your Customer, etc.)
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Remittances in selected Sanabel Countries Source: World Bank (only through official channels)
Countries 2006In US$ million
Percentage to GDP
2007In US$ million
Morocco 5,454 9,5% 5,700
Egypt, Arab Rep. 5,330 6,0% 5,865
Lebanon 5,183 22,8% 5,500
Jordan 2,883 20,3% 2,934
Sudan 1,157 3.1% 1,157
Tunisia 1,510 5.0% 1,669
Yemen, Rep. 1,283 6.7% 1,283
Syrian Arab Rep. 795 2.3% 824
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Top Countries of Destination
Selected Countries DestinationMorocco France, Spain, Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Germany, Belgium,
USA, Canada and Saudi Arabia
Egypt, Arab Rep. Saudi Arabia, Libya, United States, West Bank and Gaza, Italy, Canada, Oman, Australia, Israel, Greece
Lebanon USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Saudi Arabia, France, Sweden, Brazil, West Bank and Gaza, Denmark
Jordan West Bank and Gaza, Saudi Arabia, USA, Germany, Oman, Canada, UK, Australia, Spain, Sweden
Tunisia France, Libya, Germany, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Italy, USA, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium
Yemen Saudi Arabia, Israel, USA, UK, West Bank and Gaza, Sudan, Germany, Frnace, Bahrain, Canada
Sudan Saudi Arabia, Uganda, Chad, USA, UK, Oman, Ethiopia, Canada, Germany, Australia
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Some examples: INAFI-AFFORD- DFD Partnership
After the conference in Benin, a partnership was established between INAFI (International Alternative Financial Institutions), Africans for Development (AFFORD UK), and Diaspora Forum for Development (Netherlands composed of 36 migrant organisations representing 25 countries) in harnessing the development potentials of remittances through:
InvestmentsKnowledge sharing and transfersFinancial LiteracyCapacity building for MFIs in 12 countries to provide remittance-
products and services to migrants and their familiesSTATUS: the three-year proposal is being proposed.
DFDDiaspora Forum for Development
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MoneyTrans Belgium – MFI DR Congohttp://www.moneytrans.be
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FONKOZE – Haiti http://www.fonkoze.org/
Money transfer services that allow Haitians living overseas the opportunity to transfer funds to Haiti at a very low cost
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GHANA: SANKOFA
• SANKOFA Foundation was founded in 2001 by Ghanian diasporas.
• Projects:- Technical and Training Center for peasant
women who are members of Sankofa Family Poultry project (50 members and due for expansion)
Partners in Ghana: GNAFF (Ghana National Association of Farmers en Fishermen; GAPNET
Total amount extended: Euro 145.000,00 Direct beneficiaries: 32 women Indirect: 150 women membersEntered Partnership with Rural Bank of West Dangmewww.sankofa.nl
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Filipinos in the Netherlands in partnership with SEDPI www.sedpi.com
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