Meso Level

The meso approach develops an institutional and human resource infrastructure that supports MFIs collectively. It is an approach that is more economical and effective than working with MFIs on an individual basis in a wide variety of areas. In this context, support for the industry is provided in such areas as:

• Full installation and use of a centralized, standardized PMT/PMS (Performance Monitoring Tool / Performance Monitoring System),
• Developing and promoting ethical standards through a code of conduct and ethics,
• Improving human resource competence through more skills training and MF Trainers becoming ToTs (trainers of trainers) along with their integration into small business development centers (SBDCs),
• Getting the same trainers and SMFC Experts skilled in MFI demand-driven areas such as internal audit, governance, and strategic business planning using Microfin¹,
• Improving reporting capabilities to meet regional and international standards of accountability and transparency,
• Supporting MFIs in creating a national association or network, and building its capacity to serve as a ‘succesor organization’ to USAID-Tijara’s initiatives,
• Further integration into and showcasing through such regional and global networks as Sanabel Arab Microfinance Network, and the MIX Market ²,
• Making the IMFI.org web portal of greater value in terms of data, knowledge, information and promotion,
• Further developing MFI governance/boards of directors capabilities,
• Evaluation of the solidarity group lending technology introduced and used since 2009 and,
• Research into alternative forms of collateral and new financial service products.

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[1] Microfin is a specialized software used globally to facilitate strategic business planning for MFIs.
[2] Sanabel is the Arab Microfinance Network for the MENA region; the MIX Market (MF Information Exchange) is the web-based platform by which MFIs from around the world upload their institutional data and performance information.