Network Conference Call on Management of Training Courses
MFMI network members from six different time-zones around the world conducted a successful conference call, July 15, 2008, using Skype call and chat, comparing their organizational experiences in the development, advertisements, and staff deployment for training courses in microfinance. There will be a second global workshop by-skype-call on September 2; contact Natasa Goronja if interested in participating. Read this summary. En Espanol.
The MFMI Looks Back on Some 2007 Achievements
In 2007, the MFMI global network took off, swelling from 12 to almost sixty members. The members will add significantly to peer to peer learning and knowledge exchange for microfinance training and education. MFMI learned that its members offered some 200 courses to more than 10,000 students and practitioners in 2006 and early 2007.
At the same time, the MFMI incorporated the planning and implementation of the course with CGAP for donors, or, now "funders." Four courses were offered, in Mali, Egypt, Italy and Indonesia, to steadily increasing evaluation scores.
In 2007, the MFMI also supported regional workshops for its Latin American and African network members and began preparation for an Asian workshop, from late January 2008 into February.
Network members benefited from MFMI training of trainers support in Costa Rica for the Latin American region, Pakistan, Bolivia (on micro-insurance) and Colombia. The MFMI created and piloted a new training of trainers (TOT) course to further the skills of microfinance educators and trainers to research, design, develop, implement and evaluate their microfinance offers.
In early 2007, the MFMI moved into a new office space, brought on 4 new staff, and held two open houses that engaged people from forty different organizations from both DC and around the world.
Most importantly, the MFMI began reaching out to a number of foundations, to provide added value as a bridge between the many trainers and capacity-builders living and working in developing countries who otherwise have little means to tap donor support.
Microfinance Management Institute (MFMI) and CGAP Training Program Unite
In February 2007, CGAP and the MFMI announced their agreement to join two of CGAP's highly successful training programs—Skills for Microfinance Managers and the CGAP/UNCDF Donor Training—with the MFMI MBA Program. CGAP is a co-founder of the MFMI along
with the Open Society Institute. The united effort will strengthen the skills of trainers and academics in microfinance and build donor awareness of how to support the capacity and opportunities of those offering financial products and services to the poor. The MFMI will 1) post information and resources on training and education; 2) strengthen and motivate local service providers to deliver high-quality microfinance courses and skills building programs; 3) improve donor effectiveness in supporting training and education; and 4) accelerate the use of best practice messages, tools, and publications on financial inclusion.
The MFMI Expands its Global Training
The MFMI is recruiting training and academic organizations to expand its global community of capacity building professionals working on the development of financial institutions and financial systems for the poor. These faculty and trainers reside and work across Asia, Africa, Latin America, the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe. MFMI supports the professional interests of academics and trainers who provide competitive training, teaching and technical services to microfinance managers, students and other microfinance professionals. The MFMI invites applications from organizations headquartered in any developing and emerging market country. To apply, please visit www.themfmi.org.
Microfinance Management Institute (MFMI) and CGAP Training Program Unite
In February 2007, CGAP and the MFMI announced their agreement to join two of CGAP's highly successful training programs--Skills for Microfinance Managers and the CGAP/UNCDF Donor Training--with the MFMI MBA Program. CGAP is a co-founder of the MFMI along with the Open Society Institute. The united effort will strengthen the skills of trainers and academics in microfinance and build donor awareness of how to support the capacity and opportunities of those offering financial products and services to the poor. The MFMI will
- post information and resources on training and education;
- strengthen and motivate local service providers to deliver high-quality microfinance courses and skills building programs;
- improve donor effectiveness in supporting training and education; and
- accelerate the use of best practice messages, tools, and publications on financial inclusion."
MFMI News Archives (2007-2008)