This blog is also available in Spanish below the English copy. 

By carrying out the MISION Program of Catholic Relief Services (CRS), REDCAMIF, a Central American Microfinance Network, has helped expand social performance management (SPM) among microfinance institutions (MFIs) affiliated with national networks in the region. During the past four years, 52 MFIs have begun to implement SPM systems in their operations.

To further these social performance implementations, REDCAMIF in January joined forces with Grameen Foundation to promote the use of the Progress out of Poverty Index (PPI) a poverty assessment tool designed to address some key challenges faced by MFIs. These include: how to properly identify target clients, especially among the poor population; and how to measure change in living conditions--in this case, what percentage of customers is moving out of poverty. To introduce and promote the PPI, REDCAMIF sponsored the recent workshop to train network trainers, who could then work with MFIs. The workshop was hosted by ASOMI, the network from El Salvador. It was attended by eight consultants and staff from the Central American networks REDIMIF, REDMICROH, ASOMI and ASOMIF. Trainers included Mary Jo Kochendorfer and Sergio Correa from Grameen Foundation and Jack Burga, director of the MISION Program.