{"id":5737,"date":"2021-09-20T18:33:42","date_gmt":"2021-09-20T18:33:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalcommunities.org\/area_of_expertise\/financial-inclusion\/"},"modified":"2026-01-05T23:16:25","modified_gmt":"2026-01-05T23:16:25","slug":"financial-inclusion","status":"publish","type":"area_of_expertise","link":"https:\/\/globalcommunities.org\/area_of_expertise\/financial-inclusion\/","title":{"rendered":"Financial Inclusion"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n\t

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.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

\n\t\t\tOur Approach Is Grounded In\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\tFeatured Program\t<\/h3>\n

\n\t\t\tEmpowering Women, Strengthening Communities\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\"Two\n\t\t\t\t

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. <\/p>\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\n

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. <\/p>\n

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.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLearn More\n\t\t<\/a>\n

\n\t\t\tResources\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tA New Beginning: How Women Empowered (WE) Helped Norma Get Her Life Back on Track\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Norma Elizabeth de Jes\u00fas, a strong and resilient woman from the community of Llano del Horc\u00f3n in San Marcos, Honduras, faced one of the most…\n \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tProgram Stories<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tIncreasing Resilience through Preparedness and Gender Mainstreaming Actions\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n The United States Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (USAID\/BHA)-funded SE-CONRED Capacity Strengthening Program (SCSP) conducted a series of interviews with SE-CONRED staff….\n \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tHumanitarian Assistance<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tProgram Stories<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMujeres Empoderadas: Innovaciones en la programaci\u00f3n de grupos de ahorro\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Mujeres Empoderadas en Guatemala se implement\u00f3 por primera vez en el a\u00f1o 2012, en Huehuetenango. A partir de entonces se ha vinculado a programas de…\n \t\tBriefs & Case Studies<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCooperatives Hold the Key to Increasing Resilience to Shocks\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Global Communities conducted the Cooperative Resilience Longitudinal study in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Cooperative Development program and the United…\n \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tProgram Stories<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCLEAR Cooperative Resilience Research\u00a0\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Global Communities through the USAID Cooperative Development Program -Cooperative Leadership Engagement Advocacy and Research (CLEAR) program, partnered with the United States International University – Africa…\n \t\tCapacity Materials<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCooperative Resilience Longitudinal Study in Kenya\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Global Communities through the USAID (United States Agency for International Development) Cooperative Development Program (CDP) known as Cooperative Leadership Engagement Advocacy and Research (CLEAR) project,…\n \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tResearch & Publications<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCooperative Development (CLEAR+) Program\u00a0Project Brief\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Global Communities’ Cooperative Leadership Engagement Advocacy and Research (CLEAR)+ project (2023-2028), is a USAID funded Cooperative Development Program (CDP) aimed at advocating for the development…\n \t\tBriefs & Case Studies<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe USAID Cooperative Development Program CLEAR Learning Agenda Summary\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Global Communities’ USAID-funded Cooperative Development Program (CDP) CLEAR Learning Agenda was designed to generate substantial evidence on effective strategies to foster a conducive environment for…\n \t\tBriefs & Case Studies<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCooperative Businesses: A Training Guide for Cooperatives & Developers\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n Kenya’s cooperative movement is flourishing, and the worker cooperative model is gaining traction as a catalyst for equitable economic development and job creation. While worker…\n \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tToolkits & Manuals<\/a>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCase Study: Meru Central Coffee Cooperative Union’s (MCCCUs) Business Development Journey with Global Communities in Kenya\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n The Cooperative Leadership, Engagement, Advocacy & Research (CLEAR) program, implemented by Global Communities from 2018 to 2023 and made possible through the support of USAID’s…\n \t\tBriefs & Case Studies<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t \/ \n\t\t \t\tFinancial Inclusion<\/a>\n\t\t\n

\n\t\t\tNews\t<\/h3>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"Gesler_Castillo_Guate_TallerRegionalME-8-3\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInspiring Women’s Leadership and Resilience in Guatemala\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\tMarch 8, 2025\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

What began as a small pilot project in Guatemala has flourished into a national movement, driving women’s leadership and social and economic participation through community-based savings groups.<\/p>\n Read More about Inspiring Women’s Leadership and Resilience in Guatemala<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"IMG_20240516_072532_143\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tHow Oral Information Management Tools Boost Women’s Financial Literacy and Savings in Ethiopia\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\tDecember 6, 2024\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

By Jessica Ayala, Sr. Manager for Digital Communications Savings groups-often referred to as informal community banks-are small groups of people who save together and lend to each other from their pooled funds. Globally, as many as 500 million people belong to savings groups. Approximately 80% of members are women, and many savings groups programs are…<\/p>\n Read More about How Oral Information Management Tools Boost Women’s Financial Literacy and Savings in Ethiopia<\/a>\n\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\"CAR_0603\"\n\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCelebrating 10 Years of Positive Impact in Brazil\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\tOctober 8, 2024\t\t\t\t\t\t\n

In 2014, Global Communities arrived in Brazil in partnership with the John Deere Foundation to implement the Sowing Futures program in Horizontina (RS). Since then, we have expanded our operations to promote sustainable development in 8 Brazilian states and supported community development through the mobilization of more than 9,000 volunteers and the training of more…<\/p>\n Read More about Celebrating 10 Years of Positive Impact in Brazil<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t