Technical assistance
SMF supports TA trajectories for financial literacy training of clients, development of savings products, design of micro-insurance and micro-pensions products, solar energy, livestock farming, floriculture, etc. The link to the livelihood context of these clients is made by the microfinance institution, mainly because SMF is not locally present and has limited knowledge of the real livelihood concerns of these clients.The Social Microfinance Facility will provide Technical Assistance with a difference, where the Financial Institution is in the driver’s seat throughout the entire technical assistance delivery process. The TA with a Difference concept is conceptualized in four principles:
- Focus is on emerging microfinance institutions with a social and developmental mission;
- It aspires to balance financial sustainability with social returns, including the environmental dimension;
- Demand for technical assistance comes from the microfinance finance institution, TA is tailor-made;
- Costs will be shared between the Techncial Assistance Facility and the requesting microfinance institution.