Financial Inclusion
Global Communities creates opportunities for individuals, communities, and businesses to meet their needs and drive lasting economic growth. We believe everyone can climb the economic ladder—from informal to formal markets, from surviving to thriving—improving their well-being and resilience.
Financial inclusion means making sure people have access to the financial tools they need to save, borrow, invest, and grow. But many people—especially women, youth, and those working in informal markets—are left out of traditional financial systems. Without access to fair and flexible financial services, it’s hard to build a business, recover from a crisis, or plan for the future.
That’s why Global Communities meets people where they are. Our Financial Inclusion model helps individuals and businesses take the next step—whether that’s joining a savings group, learning financial skills, or accessing a loan. We support people at every stage of their journey, helping them build confidence, capital, and connections. Our programs are designed to fit local realities, whether in crisis, recovery, or development contexts.
We also believe that financial inclusion is a powerful tool for equity. Our Women Empowered (WE) groups combine savings and lending with life skills and leadership training. They help women and youth build agency, start businesses, and lead change in their communities. We embed financial inclusion across sectors—like health, food security, and humanitarian response—so people can manage risk, invest in well-being, and recover from shocks with greater autonomy.
Behind the scenes, we work with banks, local organizations, and governments to build strong financial systems. We co-create loan products, strengthen value chains, and help businesses become credit-ready. Our role as a market connector ensures that financial inclusion leads to long-term, scalable impact. We don’t just deliver services—we build systems that last.
Our Approach Is Grounded In
Context-Driven Financial Solutions
We tailor financial tools to local market realities — from cash transfers and vouchers in fragile settings to microloans and business grants in growing economies.
Context-Driven Financial Solutions
We tailor financial tools to local market realities — from cash transfers and vouchers in fragile settings to microloans and business grants in growing economies.
Economic Mobility Through Financial Inclusion
Our Financial Inclusion model supports people at every stage of their financial journey, helping them move from informal markets to formal economies.
Economic Mobility Through Financial Inclusion
Our Financial Inclusion model supports people at every stage of their financial journey, helping them move from informal markets to formal economies.
Empowerment Through Inclusive Access
We prioritize equity by integrating savings, lending, and leadership development—especially for women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Empowerment Through Inclusive Access
We prioritize equity by integrating savings, lending, and leadership development—especially for women, youth, and marginalized groups.
Sustainable Growth Through Market Connection
We connect businesses to financial institutions, co-create loan products, and strengthen market systems to ensure lasting, inclusive development.
Sustainable Growth Through Market Connection
We connect businesses to financial institutions, co-create loan products, and strengthen market systems to ensure lasting, inclusive development.
Featured Program
Empowering Women, Strengthening Communities
In countries like Ethiopia, Guatemala, and Madagascar, WE groups are not only saving and lending money—they’re building resilience. Members are using their platforms to promote maternal and child health, improve sanitation, and even construct classrooms.
In Ethiopia, over 3,140 groups have been formed, with members opening bank accounts and transitioning to digital savings. In Guatemala, WE members are leading efforts to recover livelihoods through cash transfers and mentorship, while also supporting nutrition and hygiene programs for mothers and children.
WE’s impact is both broad and deep. In Honduras, the program has supported households affected by disasters such as flooding and displacement by providing seed capital for small businesses. In Madagascar, WE groups have tackled sanitation challenges and initiated literacy training, demonstrating how women can lead community development when given the right support.
Across all regions, Global Communities has reached more than 400,000 people in over 18,700 WE groups, fostering a sense of ownership and self-reliance, encouraging women to take charge of their financial and social futures well beyond the time of our work with them.
Resources
Mujeres Empoderadas: Innovaciones en la programación de grupos de ahorro
CLEAR Cooperative Resilience Research
Cooperative Resilience Longitudinal Study in Kenya
Cooperative Development (CLEAR+) Program Project Brief
The USAID Cooperative Development Program CLEAR Learning Agenda Summary
Cooperative Businesses: A Training Guide for Cooperatives & Developers
Case Study: Meru Central Coffee Cooperative Union’s (MCCCUs) Business Development Journey with Global Communities in Kenya
News
New Study Explores Impact of Digital Savings Groups in Tanzania
A new study shows that savings groups that use a digital record keeping app experience greater transparency, fewer group conflicts and an increase in financial capability among individual members. The study also found evidence that highlights the need to include gender considerations in the design of savings group apps. These findings and more are presented…
Global Communities and PCI Stand in Solidarity for Racial Justice
Dear friends, The murder of George Floyd, yet another unarmed Black man, and the events of this past week have left so many of us feeling a profound sense of outrage, distrust and grief. Every single day, the Black community endures profiling, violence and inequality due to systemic racism and injustice. As organizations dedicated to…
A Youth Facilitator Realizes His Dream
Educating and learning activities empower youth while open new doors and prospects to others Residing in Rojom Shami Gharbi at the east of the Capital, Mohammad Qoblan is 27, he graduated back in 2014 with a bachelor degree in International Relations. After two years of fruitless job hunting, Mohammad believed that a higher degree would…