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From the Archives

Too Many Cooks

Posted on March 21, 2008
Topics: Microfinance, Economic Development
Countries: Liberia
Previously filed under: Africa, Microfinance
Many women in Liberia have received job training, but without access to loans or job placement, training may not lead to economic success.
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From the Archives

The Bottom Line for Microfinance

Posted on January 4, 2008
Topics: Microfinance
Previously filed under: Asia, Microfinance
A close look at microfinance institutions reveals an important key to success - efficiency.
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Keywords: Muhammad Yunus, microlending, efficiency, economics

From the Archives

The Online Funding Revolution

Posted on December 11, 2007
Topics: Microfinance
Previously filed under: Asia, Microfinance
Is online micro-lending just a clever mechanism to attract resources, or is it a genuine revolution in the aid and development sector?
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Keywords: poverty, Muhammad Yunus, Kiva.org, development

From the Archives

The New Frontlines of Capitalism

Posted on November 16, 2007
Topics: Economic Development, Microfinance
Previously filed under: Africa, Microfinance
Peace Corps volunteer, Nathalie Boittin, discovered that both producing and selling soap in Burkina Faso come with unique challenges.
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Keywords: women, finance, entrepreneurship, Burkina Faso

From the Archives

Defending Microfinance

Posted on October 31, 2007
Topics: Microfinance
Previously filed under: Microfinance
The future of microfinance will depend on organizations ability to create solutions that are not only economically sustainable but also socially sustainable.
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Keywords: sustainability, Mohammed Yunus, microfinance, Bangladesh

From the Archives

Microfinance- the Next Asset Bubble

Posted on September 10, 2007
Previously filed under: Microfinance
As many Wall Street businesses become involved, some wonder if microfinance will crumble under the pressure of capitalism.
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Keywords: microfinance

From the Archives

Microfinance Goes Mobile

Posted on August 3, 2007
Previously filed under: Africa, Microfinance
Cell phone banking revolutionizes financial services for the poor.
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Keywords: cell phones, Banking. Vodaphone, nokia, microfinance, microcredit

From the Archives

Kenya - Small Businesses Get Access to Banking at Last

Posted on June 25, 2007
Previously filed under: Africa, Microfinance
One bank has set out to change the way business is done in Kenya.
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Keywords: microfinance, microcredit, small business, banking

From the Archives

Economic Development Restores Dignity

Posted on May 11, 2007
Previously filed under: Asia, Microfinance
Pam Eser of Mercy Corps discusses her work with their microfinance and economic development programs around the world.
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Keywords: microfinance, loans, interview, Mercy Corps

From the Archives

Roots of Change

Posted on May 1, 2007
Previously filed under: Microfinance
A microfinance program in Tajikistan gives community members a promising start.
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Keywords: Mercy Corps, microfinance, Tajikistan, microcredit, microlending

From the Archives

Microcredit Project for Africa

Posted on March 2, 2007
Previously filed under: Africa, Microfinance
The G8 is proposing a microfinance initiative with the support of the African Development Bank.
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Keywords: Africa, poverty, sustainable growth, loans,

From the Archives

A Second Look at Microfinance

Posted on February 27, 2007
Topics: Economic Development, Microfinance
Countries: Guatemala, Uganda
Previously filed under: South America, Microfinance
A study by the Cato Institute's Center for Global Liberty and Prosperity questions the effectiveness of microcredit in the developing world.
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Keywords: development, Muhammad Yunus, microfinance

From the Archives

Embracing Entrepreneurship in the Developing World

Posted on February 26, 2007
Previously filed under: Microfinance
Click on the images below for a visual representation of small business entrepreneurship in developing countries.
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Keywords: small business photo slideshow

From the Archives

Small Loans Make a Big Difference

Posted on February 26, 2007
Countries: Afghanistan
Previously filed under: Asia, Microfinance
A Mercy Corps microfinance project in Afghanistan focuses on providing group lending to Afghani women to finance small-scale enterprises.
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Keywords: microfinance, microcredit, loans, group lending, entrepreneur

From the Archives

The Microfinance Moment

Posted on December 28, 2006
Topics: Microfinance, Economic Development
Previously filed under: Asia, Microfinance
Microfinance has been praised by the West as the path towards poverty alleviation —the positive and negatives behind the microfinance approach.
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Keywords: poverty, Muhammad Yunus, economic growth, development

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Time for Next Stage of Sustainable Business

Reuters - Fri, 03/12/2010 - 13:12
Corporate America needs to track its use of energy and resources as closely as it does its hiring and cash flow if it wants to keep pace with social concern about climate change and other sustainability issues, an investor group argues in a new report.

Rush for Patents May Hinder Transfer of New Climate-related Technologies

Policy Innovations - Fri, 03/12/2010 - 14:35
Mitigating overly rigorous intellectual property rights lies at the core of any meaningful international mechanism for facilitating sustainable technology transfer to developing countries.

Egypt to Secure $430 Million Loan for Wind Farm

Reuters - Fri, 03/12/2010 - 05:39
Egypt is set to secure a $430 million loan from Japan to fund a 220-megawatt wind farm as it tries to boost its renewable energy output.

Western U.S., Canada Go Own Way On Carbon Trading

Reuters - Thu, 03/11/2010 - 16:18
As U.S. prospects for a national climate change bill fade, five U.S. states and Canadian provinces are on track to start a cap-and-trade market for carbon dioxide in 2012, say officials who see fading federal momentum boosting regional efforts.

US Remittances Keep Haiti Afloat

IRIN News - Fri, 03/12/2010 - 07:44
Haiti's economy depends on the estimated $1.5 billion a year in remittances sent home by its million-strong diaspora. Dilip Ratha, lead economist at the World Bank said the figure could be even higher, accounting for perhaps half the national income.
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