Micro-finance

 

Globally, over 2.5 billion people live on less than $2 per day.  Jobs are scarce in both rural and urban areas, especially for those with limited skills. For many people, owning a small business can be a pathway to earn income, support a family and become self-sufficient. However, without access to basic financial services such as savings and loans, starting an enterprise can be difficult, if not impossible.

Episcopal Relief & Development partners with local churches and community organizations to offer micro-finance services, along with business and vocational training. By developing a skill such as tailoring or woodworking, participants can supply a needed service or product. The programs also provide loans, enabling entrepreneurs to purchase materials or inventory, along with business and marketing training that positions them to succeed.

These activities often take place in community-based self-help groups, where small business owners can find advice and encouragement.  Many of these groups incorporate a savings component, enabling participants to build up funds that can keep their business growing after their loans are fully repaid.

Episcopal Relief & Development also helps support the establishment of group businesses, where manufacturing or processing equipment is collectively owned and operated.  This arrangement allows many people to earn income without the risk or burden of a large individual investment.

Our micro-finance programs emphasize involving both women and men, which can be very effective in promoting gender awareness and empowering women. When women become breadwinners, they increase their role in household decision-making, which often enhances the whole family’s well-being.  And when men and women together contribute to their community’s economic growth, mutual respect and understanding flourish.

Download: Microfinance Glossary of Terms

Your support enables communities to journey from poverty to prosperity by:

  • Providing loans and other micro-finance opportunities that enable families to generate more income
  • Working with people to learn skills and develop small businesses in a variety of fields
  • Promoting cooperatives to help individuals pool their resources and maximize their purchasing power
  • Assisting communities in gaining access to local markets, increasing their ability to sell products for profit
  • Helping farming communities increase their crop yields so the surplus can be sold for income

Give the gift that keeps on giving. Our Micro-finance program creates opportunities for people to start small businesses and support their families. Through resources and training, we are empowering communities to revitalize local economies and help people live healthier and more productive lives. Promote self-sufficiency — make a contribution today.

Cuba

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development has partnered with the Episcopal Church of Cuba and the Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund to sup...

Sri Lanka

Description: Case Study: Sri Lanka | Disaster Risk Reduction Episcopal Relief & Development partners with the Anglican dioceses of Colombo and Kurunegala an...

Zambia

Description: Report Summary: Five-Year Report on Early Childhood Development Program Case Study: Zambia | Early Childhood Development Episcopal Relief & Dev...

The Philippines

Description: Case Study: The Philippines Transforming from Receivers to Givers Episcopal Relief & Development partners with E-CARE (the Episcopal Community ...

Guatemala

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development began working with the Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala in 2005 after Hurricane Stan hit northern Central America ...

El Salvador

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development partners with the Episcopal Diocese of El Salvador to support vulnerable communities. This integrated recovery a...

Angola

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Anglican Diocese of Angola on an integrated approach to tackle the most urgent health iss...

Nicaragua

Description: In partnership with two local organizations, Episcopal Relief & Development is empowering communities to build climate resilience by  increasin...

Myanmar [Burma]

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development supports a variety of diocesan agricultural and economic empowerment projects through the Church of the Province...

Colombia

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development is working with Trinity Foundation, an agency of the Diocese of Colombia, to implement microfinance programming ...

Kenya

Description: Report Summary: Five-Year Report on Early Childhood Development Program Case Study: Kenya | Integrated Economic Empowerment In southwest Kenya, Epi...

Liberia

Description: In 2020, Episcopal Relief & Development and ECLRD continue to implement agricultural and economic rehabilitation in six different counties (Gra...

Malawi

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Anglican Council in Malawi (ACM) to support the health and development of children and th...

Tanzania

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development partners with the Anglican Diocese of Central Tanganyika’s Development Services Company (DCT-DSC) to build clima...

Haiti

Description: Since 2014, Episcopal Relief & Development has provided technical and financial support to a Savings with Education microcredit program, equipp...

Honduras

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with the Episcopal Diocese of Honduras through its agencies responsible for development and commun...

Mozambique

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development is partnering with two dioceses in Mozambique on strategies to address challenges such as public health, early c...

Namibia

Description: Episcopal Relief & Development works with the Namibia Anglican Community Development Organization (NACDO) to increase economic stability and im...