We have an exciting line up of issues this year. If you would like to contribute, advertise or receive bulk copies of our 2009 issues, email Lindsay@mfinsights.com
Jul/Aug 2009 – MF and Private Equity
Sept/Oct 2009 – Profile of a Borrower
Nov/Dec 2009– The Innovation Issue
Hello from the Microfinance Insights editorial team!
In February this year, the Microcredit Summit announced that the microfinance sector had reached 100 million borrowers globally. But what does that number mean? Are we really making an impact? In the latest issue, Microfinance Insights takes a look at the social impact of microfinance. We address the question, is microfinance a panacea for poverty, or a placebo that can and does work in conjunction with other factors.
Perspectives in this issue will include:
Sam Daley-Harris of the Microcredit Summit Campaign and his thoughts on the “Quantity versus quality” debate. Should we count numbers, or measure impact?
Interview with Ms. Ela Bhatt, Founder of SEWA, and Member – The Council of Elders, with a traditional impact of microcredit and SEWA members
Jonathan Bauchet and Aparna Dalal of the Financial Access Initiative who discuss the usefulness of randomized client assessment in microfinance.
Radhika Desai, an India-based microfinance consultant, on the claim that microfinance empowers women – not necessarily, she writes
The issue also carries a field perspective on implementation of social performance impact studies by MFIs across the globe. And, don’t miss the results of our global survey of 160 microfinance institutions and investors on the social impact of microfinance.
WATCH: Our Exclusive Interview with Ela Ben Bhatt, Founder of SEWA
While planning for our May/June 2009 issue, it was only natural to consider Ela Ben Bhatt, the Founder of SEWA, a women sometimes referred to as the Mother of Microfinance. Members of the Microfinance Insights team traveled to Ahmedabad, India, to speak exclusively with Ms. Bhatt about her work, women’s empowerment, and the impact the microfinance sector has had and SEWA’s more than one million members.
Challenging the view of microfinance critics who claim the sector has had no, or little impact, Bhatt retorts (with reference to her work at SEWA), “The proof is in the people.” Social Impact, she says, is created when women own assets, are able to provide better quality food and educational opportunities for their family, and even own their homes. Referring to a recent study by SEWA that showed the informal sector contributes significantly to India’s national economy, Bhatt reminds us that at times our perceptions of the poor as lazy are flawed.
HOT OFF THE PRESS!: Beyond Profit, the new Social Enterprise magazine from Intellecap
On Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, Intellecap the social business advisory firm that publishes Microfinance Insights, launched a fresh, new magazine, Beyond Profit, dedicated to the businesses, people and ideas within the social enterprise space. The inaugural issue, was released at Sankalp 2009, South Asia’s largest social enterprise business and investment forum. Naina Lal Kidwai, the Country Head of HSBC in India, launched the inaugural issue.
The issue features a cover story by Anthony Bugg-Levine of the Rockefeller Foundation on Impact Investing Investing, 10 ways to approach a VC, an interview with Professor Greg Dees from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, a perspective from Innosight Ventures on how for-profit enterprises can be built through disruptive innovation, and a highlight on 10 social business ideas that could change the world.
Until June 1st, you can register to receive a free one-year subscription to Beyond Profit. Visit www.beyondprofitmag.com, and register online.
If you work with a social enterprise, or run a business that is committed to creating positive social impact, while being profitable and sustainable, the Beyond Profit Editorial Team would like to hear from you. Write to the team at ideas@beyondprofitmag.com.
In February this year, the Microcredit Summit announced that the microfinance sector had reached 100 million borrowers globally. But what does that number mean? Are we really making an impact? In the latest issue, Microfinance Insights takes a look at the social impact of microfinance. We address the question, is microfinance a panacea for poverty, or a placebo that can and does work in conjunction with other factors. 
While planning for our May/June 2009 issue, it was only natural to consider Ela Ben Bhatt, the Founder of SEWA, a women sometimes referred to as the Mother of Microfinance. Members of the Microfinance Insights team traveled to Ahmedabad, India, to speak exclusively with Ms. Bhatt about her work, women’s empowerment, and the impact the microfinance sector has had and SEWA’s more than one million members.
On Tuesday, April 28th, 2009, Intellecap the social business advisory firm that publishes Microfinance Insights, launched a fresh, new magazine, Beyond Profit, dedicated to the businesses, people and ideas within the social enterprise space. The inaugural issue, was released at Sankalp 2009, South Asia’s largest social enterprise business and investment forum. Naina Lal Kidwai, the Country Head of HSBC in India, launched the inaugural issue.