Microfinance in the Palestinian Territory
Microfinance has proved to be one of the most effective instruments in helping to stimulate entrepreneurship, create jobs and generate income for the poor.
The Portland Trust partnered PlaNet Finance from 2006 - 2009
to provide together €550,000 in support of the Palestinian
Network for Small and Microfinance Institutions (Sharakeh).
This sum was complemented by a grant of €750,000 from the
European Union for a three year action plan to help build
capacity in the microfinance sector. The Portland Trust also
advised the network on operational and structural changes
to improve its effectiveness and covered the costs of hiring an Operations Manager for the Network in 2009.
The Microfinance Network
was successfully established and now offers training, backoffice and marketing services. Over the three year period it
is estimated that an additional 70,000 people benefited from
microfinance
For more information on the Palestinian Microfinance Network, please visit Sharakeh's website.
For more information on PlaNet Finance, please visit the PlaNet Finance web site.
Winners of the first ever Palestine Best Micro Entrepreneur Award announced (October 2008)
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