This campaign has now closed
This project will help finance the entrepreneurial poor. Entrepreneurs and farmers who have a capacity to develop/enlarge their business, creating employment opportunities for the disadvantaged and vulnerable and thereby contributing to bettering children’s lives in the communities.
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Situation
World Vision’s aim is to contribute to economic development within existing Area Development Programme (ADP) areas by supporting SEF. SEF International Ltd. is a World Vision owned, locally registered microfinance institution operating in Armenia through its local branches. By forming a strong partnership with SEF, World Vision can further help facilitate integrated microfinance services in Armenia aimed at helping alleviate poverty. The main objectives are: Economic Development - Development is geared predominantly towards rural areas, by supporting SEF in their efforts to increase the availability of funds to more families and clients in Armenia. World Vision is supporting SEF to expand its outreach of financial services within local Armenian communities particularly located in the areas of Sisian (Syunik Marz) and Goris and Stepanavan. The branch network however covers 7 branches. Financial Leverage - The project goal directly meets needs that have been identified, and through equity, enables SEF to leverage. This enables the institution to increase the portfolio outstanding, allowing more clients to be reached. This in turn increases income, enabling them to meet expenses, therefore the microfinance institution is sustainable and becomes available to more people within the local communities. SEF’s vision is: a reconciled Armenia at peace, where children, families and communities live with hope and justice. Their mission is to provide professional, sustainable, locally registered credit institution that empowers women and men, through loans and financial consultancy, to achieve a full and secure life for their families. SEF’s main need is for equity injection to enable them to leverage. By Sept 2009, SEF plans to reach 4,900 clients through a portfolio outstanding of $12.2m, covering all its costs with a small margin.