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