PlaNet Finance
| PlaNet Finance | |
|---|---|
[[Image:
|
|
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. (August 2007) |
PlaNet Finance is an international non-profit organization founded in 1998, with the mission to alleviate poverty through the development of microfinance, therefore increasing the unbanked and underbanked's access to financial services.
Over the past ten years, PlaNet Finance has developed into a group of organizations (PlaNet Finance Group) providing a diverse set of services. The PlaNet Finance Group has grown to become one of the world leaders in the field of microfinance. Active in most emerging countries in 2012, PlaNet Finance Group had more than 1,750 employees. Through its Foundation, an NGO and a group of social businesses PlaNet Finance Group focuses on the development of access to financial services by intervening in the areas of consulting and technical support, financing, investment, insurance and rating.
Contents |
Goals [edit]
PlaNet Finance provides access to financial services to the poorest populations, the financial intermediaries including banks, cooperatives, non-governmental organizations (NGO), and microfinance institutions. PlaNet Finance was founded in Paris, France on October 13, 1998 by Jacques Attali, its first and current President, and Arnaud Ventura, its first CEO. The association has established a worldwide network of affiliated offices in Europe and the United States of America, and has operations in developing countries in Latin America, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. As of 2008, PlaNet Finance has supported 1,500 microfinance institutions financing more than 9 million people.
The association supports microfinance efforts by federating financial intermediaries and providing them with operational services. PlaNet Finance also works with the private sector (banks and financial institutions), international agencies, and government to facilitate the creation of an efficient microfinance sector.
Activities [edit]
PlaNet Finance provides a set of different services via independent and specialized entities:
Supporting microentrepreneurs [edit]
Internationally, PlaNet Finance[1] develops programmes with a high social impact aimed towards poor populations excluded from financial services. These programmes associate education, health and environmental protection to microfinance in order to answer the needs of microentrepreneurs in the development of their projects. In France, PlaNet Finance France,[2] through its network of associations, PlaNet ADAM, located in the heart of deprived neighbourhoods, offers assistance programmes to those with limited employment opportunities so that they can turn their business ideas into reality.
Training, Consulting and Research [edit]
PlaNet Finance provides technical assistance and consulting services to microfinance stakeholders but also to financial institutions, governments or mobile phone operators that wish to develop financial inclusion. Through research and training, PlaNet Finance contributes to the professionalization of the sector and to the dissemination of best practices.
Funding [edit]
PlaNIS responsAbility SAS[3] and MicroWorld.org[4] provide funding for microfinance institutions, while MicroCred[5] and mBank[6] focus on financing entrepreneurs. FinanCités[7] supports entrepreneurs in France’s deprived urban areas by taking equity in their businesses and by offering them personalised coaching.
Microinsurance [edit]
PlaNet Guarantee[8] combats the vulnerability of certain populations through tailored and affordable microinsurance programmes serving the needs of low-income groups. PlaNet Guarantee is building strong partnerships with various sector players (ranging from insurers, reinsurers, banks and microfinance institutions to development agencies). It also draws on the field experience and expertise of the PlaNet Finance network.
Rating [edit]
Planet Rating[9] is an international microfinance rating agency which gives all actors involved in the sector the information they need to strengthen microfinance’s reach and impact. Its social performance and finance reports make the microfinance sector more effective by enhancing its professionalism and transparency.
