Place, February 2013 SP Fund for Networks Universal Standards Workshop

Workshop Objectives Launch Universal Standards Implementation Project Share experience on managerial solutions we already have in place (which are in line with USSPM) Identify key gaps Discuss the project work plan and plan the next steps 3

USSPM implementation project Objectives: document solutions in MFIs that are in line with USSPM Support member MFIs in reaching partial/full complience with USSPM by June pioneering networks Standards areas: (LIST) SP Fund Program (funded by the Ford Foundation) 3

Key milestones Documenting existing solutions (3 case studies) Identifying existing solutions in line with USSPM (call for tools) Presenting solutions at the SPTF in Panama (1 scholarship for MFI) Documenting solutions as case studies Reaching complience (3 MFIs fully complient, 10 partially complient) Developing complience plans by parnter MFIs Supporting partner MFIs in reaching partial/full complience Reaching partial/full complience 3

Expectations from the project MFIs Sign MoU/partnership agreement with the network Delegate SPM Champion – contact point and internal leader of project activities Delegate Senior Manager – support to SPM Champion, ensuring buy-in for the project in the MFI Develop project plan Implement the project and communicate progress with the network project manager regularly –Identify and share solutions (call for tools) –Engage in case study documentation exercise (if your solution is selected for the documentation) –Define level of compliance you want to reach, identify gaps and implement improvement plan 3

Benefits for the project MFIs Recognition as leaders by the industry Technical assistance in form of workshops, project meetings, technical assistance (LIST RELEVANT) Scholarship for tools sharing for most active MFI (LIST ALSO OTHER REWARDS IF YOU HAVE) Promotion by the network, SP Fund and the SPTF through featuring in the SP FUND Newsletter, promotion at the SPTF meeting (LIST LOCAL MEANS AS WELL) 3

Session: Universal Standards for SPM Overview: How and why the Unversal Standards were created? What are the Universal Standards? What are the benefits for MFIs and broader industry to use the standards? 3

Puzzle group exercise Make the puzzle: Match 21 standards to an appropriate standard section (6 sections) You have 5 minutes to do it right to win the prize

A common resource for and by people in the field The Standards were created by MFIs, networks, investors and other stakeholders around the world, who identified the need and worked together to create a common resource.

There are 21 standards, organized into six sections. They bring together many of the existing initiatives in the field.

“Tracking and monitoring how the MFI’s mission is embedded in its day-to- day operation is key.” –Ellen Willems, Triodos Investment Management

“What’s important is that the principals of the company are true to the mission and pursuing goals in a meaningful way.” – Asad Mahmood, Deutsche Bank

“We want MFIs to be seen as a place where clients are treated responsibly.” –Stuart Coe, The Co-operative Banking Group

"Understandi ng clients opens the way to developing services that are useful to them.” –Ju ̈ rgen Hammer, Grameen Crédit Agricole

"Another socially responsible business practice is treating staff well.” –Dina Pons, Incofin

“[‘Balanced returns’ is] both financial returns and social impact—not placing focus on one over the other.” –Rekha Unnithan, TIAA-CREF

“They make your job easier because for the first time, all the information is consolidated in one common document.” –Network The Standards can: Clarify SPM practices Guide strategies for achieving social goals Set consistent objectives and expectations Streamline reporting to investors and donors kiefelphotography.com/fonkoze A SPM Resource For MFIs

“The Standards are important because they are an attempt to distinguish microfinance that has positive social impact from microfinance that can be exploitive and damaging.” – Microfinance Practitioner VS. kiefelphotography.com/fonkoze The Standards can build the industry’s reputation for improving clients’ lives

The ultimate goal More MFIs better equipped to achieve their social goals— and meet the needs of their clients.

Our work to implement USSPM We will be working on two sections: LIST Sharing good practices and solutions & Improving practices towards greater compliance

Session: Sharing good practices Overview: What are the good practices which you can identify in your organization? What was/is the process of implementing those practices What are the benefits of implementing the SPM practices?

Section [add name] [list standards] 22

Essential practices of USSPM 1.b. The institution collects, reports, and ensures the accuracy of client-level data that are relevant to the institution’s social goals (standard) 1b.3 The institution’s internal system for managing data (e.g., MIS) has the capacity to disaggregate client data by gender and other key client characteristics (essential practice) 1b.7 The institution’s internal system for managing data has the capacity to analyze financial and social data together (additional practice) Standard -> essential and additional practices 23

Identifying good practices For section (which?) 1.Review the practices in the handout 2.Identify existing good practices and write them on a card 24

Group exercise Choose the solution which is the BEST practice and present it to the group: Why this practice/tool/solution was introduced? What benefits do you draw from implementing this solution? Who is involve in implementing it (from staff, management, etc)? How much does it cost (time, money)? What challenges did you face when introducing the practice? What challenges do you see on every day bases when the practice is being implemented? How could you further enhance/develop/improve your practice? Time: 30 minutes 25

Section [add name] [list standards] 26

Identifying good practices For section (which?) 1.Review the practices in the handout 2.Identify existing good practices and write them on a card 3.Present best solution in your group 27

Session: Improving Compliance Objectives: Review current practices to identify areas for improvements Set priorities for improving compliance within the project timeline 3

Exercise: increasing complience What are the areas where you see opportunities for increased complience? (handout) Prioritize practices, which you would like to implement by the end of the project (list on cards and post on the wall) – what is mostly needed by my MFI? – what will bring most benefit to my MFI? – can I afford this? do I have required resources? – is my MFI ready to introduce this change/new solution? Is there/will I be able to build commitment for this change? Time: 20 minutes

Session: Planning Objectives: Define winning strategies for increasing complience Develop project plan 3

Winning strategies to introduce changes What will we need to do to make changes happen? 1.Get institutional buy-in 2.Securing required resources 3.Setting an implementation team 4.Developing a detailed planned 5.Monitoring the implementation (internally and by the network) 6.Providing support by the network 3

Available support Resources: implementation-resources Network support: LIST 3

Project timeline MFI Kicking-off the project Plan Sharing solutions 1.Submitting tools through the call for tools 2.Participate in the case study* 3.Tools sharing workshop Increasing complience 1.Implementing improvement plan and reporting on progress 2.Reaching complience/final workshop 3 Network Kicking off workshop Approve plans Sharing solutions 1.Selecting a winning MFI 2.Faciliate the case study documentation process 3.Tools sharing workshop Increasing complience 1.Monitoring the progress/providing support 2.Verifying complience/final workshop

Developing draft action-plans Develop draft action plans using the template Time: 30 minutes 3

Next steps 1.Share (repeat) the workshop discussions internally at your MFI and draft plans within your MFI (by WHEN?) 2.Set-up project team (by WHEN?) 3.Finalize and send approved plan to the network (by WHEN?) 4.Sign partnership agreements (by WHEN?) 5.Submit tools (by WHEN?) 6.Next in person meeting: DATE 3

Evaluation of the workshop 1.How do you feel about the workshop objectives to be met? 2.Do you have any remining questions, concerns, issues that haven’t been addressed? 3.Please evaluate the workshop using the evaluation form 3

Thank You! Contact person: NAME Phone: SP Fund 3