Research Reports
The challenges inherent in supporting the self-help efforts of the chronically hungry poor beg for innovation to achieve greater scale, impact and sustainability. With our commitment to such innovation comes our commitment to rigorous research that puts our innovations and those of other organizations to the test of evidence from the field. We are pleased to make our research reports available to all who are interested in evidence-based innovation. Generally, these reports have also been published in part in technical journals and other publications, but seldom are full research reports accepted for publication. Therefore, we make our full research reports, as well as summaries, freely downloadable in PDF format to provide you the full details of the research projects—social and institutional context, objectives, design and implementation of the innovation being tested, research design, methods, analysis, results, discussion in light of relevant literature and conclusions. These reports are listed below in chronological order, starting with the most recent and working backward in time. Most reports have been translated into French and/or Spanish, originally for the benefit of the in-country institutions that have partnered with Freedom from Hunger in developing and researching these innovations. In the absence of full translations, summaries in French and/or Spanish are usually available. Whatever we have is available now for free download. We sincerely hope you will find these research reports useful for broadening your understanding of value-added microfinance and related innovations.
Microfinance: A sustainable platform for non-financial service
Abstract
Over the past few years, microfinance has been widely heralded as a successful contributor to the alleviation of poverty. Scores of studies have shown the positive impact that microfinance can have on the lives of poor people. However, overall progress has been disappointing. Achievement of poverty alleviation goals will call for new and innovative ways of working rather than more of the same. A strategic, overarching strategy to address poor people's interrelated needs through creative partnerships that build on the best of different development sectors has the potential to lead to exponential rather than incremental reduction of poverty in the developing world. Evidence now supports the integration of microfinance with non-financial services as an approach that has potential for enormous contribution to poverty alleviation. This chapter will focus on the opportunities and challenges for microfinance organizations providing these integrated services. It also will provide supporting evidence that shows promising financial and health benefits of integration for the poor and the institutions that support their self-help efforts.
Integrating microfinance and health strategies: examining the evidence to inform policy and practice
Abstract
Introduction Single solutions continue to be inadequate in confronting the prevalent problems of poverty, ill health and insufficient health system capacity worldwide. The poor need access to an integrated set of financial and health services to have income security and better health.
Can Financial Education Change Behavior? Lessons from Bolivia and Sri Lanka
Abstract
Introduction – In 2003, when Microfinance Opportunities and Freedom from Hunger partnered to develop a financial education curriculum for the microfinance industry, there was very little experience with financial education for low-income populations in developing countries—and most specifically, for microfinance institution clients. Microfinance Opportunities joined with Freedom from Hunger to launch the Global Financial Education Program to respond to this gap. The education development was a grassroots effort that started with market research in which clients shared their financial goals and challenges, and their current knowledge, skills, attitudes and practices as related to managing money. As a result of this program, a unique curriculum tailored to lowincome populations in developing countries was developed. Within two-and-a-half years, approximately 350,000 microfinance clients have received training in financial education, and 19 million have had access to some of the key education messages presented through radio, television, print and street theater.