* essential addition to the microfinance armoury* photocopiable training manual containing step-by-step descriptions for 22 sessions* extensively tested around the world* free material available on the web"Modern" or "new paradigm" microfinancial services are reaching perhaps as many as twenty million people worldwide. These services are being provided by existing banks which have added microfinance to their product portfolio, by specialized microfinance institutions (MFIs) and by non-governmental organization (NGOs) which offer microfinance along with other services. This training manual is designed to meet the needs of those who train staff for banks, MFIs and NGOs. It will enable them to provide effective training for those who work, or may in the future work, in the field of microfinance. "Practical Microfinance" provides detailed step-by-step descriptions for twenty-two sessions which together offer a complete 5--10 day course on microfinance. The sessions may also be used individually, selected from to make up tailor-made courses, or integrated with other materials. The sessions cover a wide range of topics including: introduction to financial accounts; undertaking field visits; analysis of MFIs; group and individual lending; micro-insurance and micro-savings; and measuring the impact of microfinance.The sessions have been extensively tested in courses at the Cranfield School of Management in the UK, and in a number of different institutions in India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Kenya, Uganda and elsewhere.The session exercise and case study handouts may be photocopied for participants or customized to meet trainees' needs via freely available web files. An introductory chapter includesadvice on how to use the material in the book and a list of recommended resources and full index are provided for ease of reference. It is hoped that this manual will help improve the content and delivery of microfinance training and thus contribute to the greater availability of affordable, accessible and profitable financial services to the poor.

This book examines the housing crisis in India and underlines the need for formal affordable housing markets. India is home to the world’s largest population of slum dwellers. The book examines actual causes of the problem, and the financial and political issues which underlie it. The volume: Analyses multiple perspectives on affordable housing from the points of view of slum dwellers, builders, facilitators, bureaucrats, and politicians Presents a fresh overview of the housing sector in India based on the conditions of slum dwellers in a typical, medium-sized, fast-growing city – Raipur, in the state of Chhattisgarh Puts forward radical conclusions, practical solutions, and policy recommendations for a formal affordable housing market in India This will be a major intervention for scholars and researchers of urban sociology, built environment, public policy, development studies, economics, political economy, institutional economics, and urban studies as well as policymakers, planners, and professionals in the urban development sector.

The book is distinct as it critically revisits what is 'social' in an enterprise without being limited by theoretical definitions Each chapter includes several case examples from international and well-renowned organizations to depict the dimensions and dilemmas a social enterprise can assume in practice It adopts a pragmatic hands-on community-based approach to drive in the message of social entrepreneurship Online resources include chapter by chapter PowerPoints slides, a video overview and additional case studies.

The book is distinct as it critically revisits what is 'social' in an enterprise without being limited by theoretical definitions Each chapter includes several case examples from international and well-renowned organizations to depict the dimensions and dilemmas a social enterprise can assume in practice It adopts a pragmatic hands-on community-based approach to drive in the message of social entrepreneurship Online resources include chapter by chapter PowerPoints slides, a video overview and additional case studies.

"Modern" integrated value chains need not necessarily exclude the smallest producers as this book aims to explain in detail by case studies. The issue is particularly topical in India, where modern retailing has come to the scene only recently and the majority of whose population are still small farmers and artisans. Following a brief introduction to the problem, 14 case studies from India are presented to illustrate how it is being solved in practice. The book also discusses the impact of organized retailing on small-scale traders, and finally analyses the case studies for an overview, with conclusions and learnings drawn from them. Inclusive Value Chains shows by practical examples that it is possible to link the smallest producers of fresh produce, commodities and handicrafts profitably, to modern integrated markets, within the country of origin as well as abroad.

This book is concerned with the promotion of income-generating projects for refugees from poor countries, now in poor host countries, many of whom cannot return home. As aid is slowly withdrawn the need for help which encourages self-reliance is essential.

* shows how to make markets really work* reduces dependence on donor agencies* illustrates critical issues, new findings and radical changes with a wealth of wide-ranging material* key title for all BDS practitionersIn the last 20 years, microfinance has made it possible for the first time for poor people to access reasonably priced financial services. More recently, another related revolution has started, which may have the potential to be equally dramatic. Small enterprises not only need credit --they also need many other services: training, advice, marketing, supplies, premises, accountancy, materials, technology and many others. Without them, credit alone may do no more than add the burden of debt to all the other problems entrepreneurs have to face. Governments and foreign donors have traditionally responded to these needs by trying to provide the services themselves. Despite -- or because of -- heavy subsidies, these services have been inadequate and of poor quality, and their main effect has been to crowd out potentially more effective private suppliers. But policy makers are now learning that entrepreneurs are willing to pay the market price for quality services, and that small businesses -- in the private sector -- are the best source of services for other small businesses. The goal is to make markets work -- in business services as well as in other products.The editor has selected seventeen chapters to illustrate the radical changes that have taken place in the evolution of assistance to small businesses. His introduction shows how the transformation has been inspired by the evolution of microfinance, and illustrates some of the critical issues which are facing business development practitioners today."

This book examines the housing crisis in India and underlines the need for formal affordable housing markets. India is home to the world's largest population of slum dwellers. The book examines actual causes of the problem, and the financial and political issues which underlie it. The volume: Analyses multiple perspectives on affordable housing from the points of view of slum dwellers, builders, facilitators, bureaucrats, and politicians Presents a fresh overview of the housing sector in India based on the conditions of slum dwellers in a typical, medium-sized, fast-growing city - Raipur, in the state of Chhattisgarh Puts forward radical conclusions, practical solutions, and policy recommendations for a formal affordable housing market in India This will be a major intervention for scholars and researchers of urban sociology, built environment, public policy, development studies, economics, political economy, institutional economics, and urban studies as well as policymakers, planners, and professionals in the urban development sector.

Cigarettes and soft drinks are available in just about every village in the developing world - clean water, primary education and health services are not. The main reason for this paradoxical and tragic situation is the failure to deliver public services, especially in the face of growing populations. What is more, the supply of essential services in most developing countries is grossly inequitable - those who need them the most are the least able to afford them.This important book suggests a strategy to overcome what appears to be an otherwise hopeless situation - 'micro-privatisation'. Governments can hand over responsibility for many public services to small private or community enterprises. The quality, efficiency and outreach of the services are considerably improved and the costs significantly reduced.To illustrate the efficacy of this strategy, Malcolm Harper presents 24 real life case studies from Asia, Africa and Latin America, and also from the USA and Europe, which amply demonstrate that micro-privatisation is practical anywhere. The activities covered by these examples of successful initiatives include urban services, utilities, agricultural services, health and hygiene, transport, welfare and education. The analysis accompanying the case studies identifies the problems encountered and the solutions adopted.Providing a fresh and comparative perspective on alternative strategies to improve the delivery of all types of public services, this book will attract a wide readership particularly among NGO's and international development agencies and those in the fields of rural development, urban management, public administration, community development and enterprise management

Billions of dollars have been spent in the last twenty years on assistance for micro, small and medium businesses. Yet there have been few attempts to count the costs and compare them to the benefits.This is the first book to systematically evaluate, measure and review the costs and benefits of small enterprise development programs through a range of examples of best practice from within the field.The authors have drawn on their extensive experience in business and as consultants within the enterprise development industry for this extensive study. They show that it is possible to measure and compare the costs and benefits of small enterprise development programs, and that donors, NGOs, tax payers and small business administrators themselves should demand that those who are responsible for such programs must demonstrate that they are providing value for money.

Aimed at non-government organizations and others trying to assist people in starting their own businesses, on however small a scale, this manual provides detailed guidelines for an 11-day training course. Topics covered include marketing, financial management, group enterprises, credit and gender. The material is based on over 20 years experience of training NGO staff and others in enterprise development, and has been tested in a number of pilot courses.

A collection of 28 case-studies from 17 countries, this book describes failures as well as successes, and provides stimulating material for students, teachers, trainers and business people themselves.