Our Services
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R-imprendo: services to micro and small Italian enterprises after the COVID19
In order to support Italian micro and small businesses whose activities are in difficulty due to the lockdown adopted against COVID-19, the Microfinanza group with its partners has activated new dedicated services to accompany them towards the resumption of their activities with more strength and vigour than before. We propose integrated support, through a revision of the business model, technical and managerial support, easier access to public financing and private investment and greater economic-financial, social and environmental sustainability.
Feasibility study and Project formulation
We have a strong experience in the development of projects and programs in the fields of financial inclusion, rural development, socio-economic development and business financing, as well as in the drafting of innovative financing models and mechanisms tailored to different socio-cultural and environmental contexts.
Advisory and Technical Assistance
Capacity building and technical assistance are key for improving capabilities and performance of financial service providers. Our Company provides services with day-to-day desk and field support activities based on the actual needs and objectives of the client. Furthermore, we offers technical support to other relevant actors and stakeholders in the microfinance industry to strengthen their ability to boost the development of the sector.
Training and Capacity Development
Training activities complement the advisory and consultancy services offered in the different areas of expertise, including financial education which represents a core activity and the starting point to boost financial inclusion. Training modules are delivered to financial institutions staff, practitioners, vulnerable persons and relevant stakeholders according to their own methodologies and tools. Tailor-made training tools are developed for different targets, such as migrants, refugees, students of primary, secondary and tertiary schools and entrepreneurs. Our trainings can be delivered remotely, through digital means and online platforms.
Assessment, study and research, evaluations
Programs and projects assessment and evaluation complement the services offered by our Company which has a consolidated evaluation methodology ranging from the analysis of the Theory of Change and the use of the evaluation matrix to the assessment of the five OECD/DAC evaluation criteria (relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability). Relevant cross-cutting issues such as gender, client protection and environment are key to provide clients and partners with a set of recommendations and lessons learned. Market studies are another service provided by our Company, especially concerning the analysis of potential demand and offer for financial inclusion products and services. Special attention is given to non-financial services and to the analysis of the overall financial ecosystem in which each actor has a relevant role to play. Financial inclusion seeks to achieve economic, financial and social improvements in the daily life of the clients according to a long-term perspective – that is why qualitative and quantitative analysis of outcomes is crucial for financial services providers, investors and partners working in this sector.
Tools
StarToolkit©
Microfinanza has developed a business plan generating tool (StartToolKit©), which has been successfully tested and applied on the field with a number of cooperatives/SMEs operating in different rural and urban contexts. It is a highly flexible and accurate tool that guides the entrepreneur in the definition of a business plan, from conception of the business idea to the calculation of the financial estimates and the break-even level, according to an intuitive method which considers real expectations based on the entrepreneur’s technical knowledge and experience.
This method, besides providing consistent financial estimates and defining the real financial need of the enterprise, assesses the ability of the entrepreneur to organize and understand the basic processes of his/her business, while assessing at the same time the specific areas in which he/she requires more support.
The tool incorporates a system to monitor the economic results that can be easily used by each entrepreneur.
QEF©
Microfinanza has designed two experience-based learning programs on financial education and social entrepreneurship, one aimed at training trainers and one targeting financially vulnerable recipients such as migrants and refugees, youth and students, women and rural residents.
The learning toolkit, called QEF©, is composed of learning modules, exercises, games, practical tools for budgeting and savings management (including a family saving notebook), online learning modules (available in Italian at http://www.wikimicrofinanza.it/) and it is organized into five macro-categories:
- Tracking cash flows and budgeting
- Savings management
- Debt management
- Access to formal financial services
- Entrepreneurship and financial negotiations
Within these categories several topics are tackled, including tracking cash flows and budget goals, basic elements to know for borrowing, means of payment, job search, taxes, duties and tax returns, management of housing, utilities, children, transport and living expenditures, setting up and management of savings club and collective mutual schemes, borrowing, insurance, inheritance issues, retirement and termination benefits, investment tools. Entrepreneurship modules include design of business models and business plans, governance, financial management, double- entry book-keeping principles, marketing and negotiations. The training program for trainers also deals with principles of Islamic finance, behavioral economics and methodologies for assessing outcomes of financial education.
MOI©
Matrix of Outcome Indicators (MOI©)
A tool for designing and conducting tailored outcomes assessments
This is a global set of indicators carefully selected and refined among those suggested by some of the best known international best practices (SPTF, CERISE, SPI4, CGAP) coupled with flexible ad hoc evaluation tools.
The MOI mainly guides external evaluations, impact studies and support to institutions in implementing internal measuring system, but it is also useful for designing and delivering technical assistance interventions, capacity building or training activities.
Our set of indicators has three main categories evaluating different dimensions of sustainability, which are linked to the UN sustainable development goals.
Within the MOI database, indicators are selected depending on clients’ needs and goals and guide the development of tailored assessment tools such as questionnaires, focus group guidelines and evaluation/research matrices.
REEP Demo ©
Microfinanza has conducted field experiences aiming at improving access to green energies through access to finance for people at the base of the pyramid (individuals and micro and small enterprises). The main guiding principle of this tool-kit is to identify the most suitable products according to relevant needs and opportunities and to improve the delivery channels and distribution mechanisms.
The tool is the result of an experience-based project conducted in different sub-Saharan countries. Its main goal and added value is to strengthen, mainly in off-grid areas, the distribution of new energy-saving technologies such as solar lanterns, bio-digesters, eco-toilets or improved cook stoves. The use of these products improves the life of the population and helps reduce environmental impact.
Financial institutions and technology providers are involved with the intention of understanding the challenges associated with access to, and management of, credit, as well as issues concerning procurement, maintenance and disposal of green technologies, and historical and future patterns of demand.
The main actors involved are three: the client in need of new green technology products, the microfinance institution that can facilitate access to finance and the technology provider delivering the green technology at field level.
The REEP-Demo © focuses on gathering and analyzing data on the following key areas: i) governance, ii) country and market overview, iii) areas of operation, iv) marketing strategy, v) pricing, margins and incentives, vi) after-sales services, vii) channels and delivery models. The result of this analysis provides an estimation of the household’s monthly energy expenses and savings compared to other energy options as well as the incentive from the microfinance institution.
Governance self-evaluation tool©
A tool for self-evaluating the governance in an MFI
In collaboration with PROMIFIN COSUDE managed by TRIODOS FACET, a Microfinanza’s partner developed a technical guide and tool intended to evaluate the effectiveness of MFI governance in providing oversight and strategic guidance.
The tool is composed of:
- A tool to self-evaluate effective corporate governance of a Microfinance Institution (EXCEL FILE). The Excel Model can be used by the Directors of an MFIs, but can also be used by a wider group of actors (consultants, raters, investors, networks, etc.).
- A Technical Guide to use this tool (PDF FILE) – The Technical Guide aims to provide simple, clear and pratical instructions on HOW an MFI can implement an Excel tool for the (self-)evaluation of its governance in an MFI (with or without the guidance of a consultant).
The originality of the proposed Model reflects the variety of inputs and sources that contributed to its creation. The Model and the associated Technical Guide should be considered as a starting point to be enriched with feedback and examples from its users as long as they accept to communicate results to its creators. Directors of MFIs, professionals of the field and specialists of the subject are invited to revise it, use it as practically and modify it or develop the aspects that they consider most appropriate.
IMPORTANT NOTE: All guides and tools have been produced with public money and hence are Public Goods, so please feel free to use and share them, but please note that they have been developed under the “10-year PROMIFIN program (SDC/COSUDE) funded by the Swiss Cooperation in Central America and executed by Triodos Facet”.
