How the scheme works
The Savings and Micro-credit Programme facilitates the formation of groups aiming to build up the capacities and skills of their members, using small loans to help them take part in income generating activities.
The programme works towards self-reliance, economic empowerment and the sustainability of the target group. It encourages beneficiaries to save regularly, to utilise their loan properly and to repay it in time.
The steps
- Members form a group within their own community, with support from a field organizer.
- The group saves regularly — small amounts, deposited on a fixed schedule.
- Members receive skills development training relevant to the activity they plan to run.
- A small loan is disbursed for the income generating activity.
- Repayment is made in instalments, and a repaid loan opens access to a larger one.
- Credit supervisors and programme officers follow up in the field throughout.
Where the scheme is applied
Savings and micro-credit support runs alongside most of the organization's other programmes. Fisheries beneficiaries cultivating fish in the re-excavated ponds, women trained at Nari Kendra, the fishermen of Chanda Beel who draw on the fish drying project's Tk 4.5 lac credit fund, and young people completing basic education all receive credit support so that training turns into earnings.
See also Microfinance for the full programme description.