Oikocredit Increases Investments in Low-Income Countries
Oikocredit Increases Investments in Low-Income Countries
PR57136
AMERSFOORT, the Netherlands, June 23/PRN=KYODO JBN/--
Social investor and worldwide cooperative, Oikocredit, today released its
social performance results for 2013. The results reflect data reported by 608
of Oikocredit's partner organizations.
At 31 December 2013, Oikocredit's development financing portfolio stood at
EUR 591 million, with EUR 483 million invested in microfinance and the
remainder in social enterprises including fair trade organizations,
cooperatives and agricultural enterprises.
Investments in low-income countries (GNI per capita less than or equal to
US$1,035) increased to EUR 94 million in 2013 from EUR 78 million in 2012, with
EUR 41 million invested in Africa and EUR 52 million in Asia.
Through Oikocredit's microfinance partners, 28 million borrowers were
reached in 2013. Of those 28 million microfinance borrowers, 81% were women and
24% active in agriculture.
Oikocredit partners involved in agriculture, trading and other sectors
outside microfinance reached 315,000 farmers and 1.5 million cooperative
members. Of those partners, 70% reported having an environmental policy, with
29% having a policy on gender.
The social performance results also showed that 71% of microfinance
partners endorsed the client protection principles in 2013, up from 59% the
previous year.
Throughout 2013, Oikocredit provided EUR 3 million in capacity building
funds, approving over 130 support initiatives as well as strengthening its
social performance management mentoring programme.
Positive social results
Oikocredit social performance and credit analysis director, Ms Ging
Ledesma, said the results were positive, showing Oikocredit's continuing
efforts to keep client benefits and welfare at the heart of Oikocredit's
operations.
"The data shows that our current strategy and activities are contributing
to positive social change, in particular financial inclusion and women's
empowerment," said Ms Ledesma.
"We're also pleased to see that partners are paying closer attention to the
environment while maintaining social and financial commitments," Ms Ledesma
added.
Outlook 2014
In 2014, Oikocredit will continue to ensure that its partners deliver real
benefits to low-income earners and their communities. A key task for the year
will be further embedding Oikocredit's environmental policy into its new
agricultural and renewable energy units.
Ms Ledesma said Oikocredit will be working to achieve a positive triple
bottom line of social, environmental and financial results.
"In 2014, we'll also be focussing on longer-term programmes for
microfinance and agricultural value chains as well as sharing successes to
build a community of practice," said Ms Ledesma.
Oikocredit is a worldwide cooperative and social investor, providing
funding to the microfinance sector, fair trade organizations, cooperatives and
small to medium enterprises.
SOURCE: Oikocredit International
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