VIETNAM UNION OF FRIENDSHIP ORGANIZATION NGO RESOURCE CENTRE VIETNAM MICROFINANCE WORKING GROUP (MFWG) ***** Background Vietnam Microfinance Working Group (MFWG) was founded to create a forum for microfinance practitioners to share experiences with each other, come together to debate relevant issues, and speak to policy makers with a unified voice. Founded in 2004 as an informal organization under the VUFO‐NGO Resource Center, according to the Working Group Guidelines approved by the Resource Centre Steering Committee in April 2003, the MFWG is open to all individuals and organizations interested in microfinance in Vietnam. The goal of the MFWG is “to enhance the impact of microfinance on poverty alleviation by promoting quality and sustainability of microfinance in Vietnam both in the practice of institutions and in an improved enabling environment.”1 The group’s objectives are: i.
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To encourage policy dialogue across relevant stakeholder organizations in order to facilitate the development of a favorable enabling environment and; To promote sustainable microfinance among practitioners by disseminating information, sharing lessons learned and achieving consensus on best practices for microfinance in Vietnam. Through the MFWG, participating organizations have held regular meetings to learn from one another about approaches to microfinance. Participating members have collaborated to prepare the semi‐annual Vietnam Microfinance Bulletin2, consolidate a database of microfinance programs, produce a list of qualified trainers and consultants, raise awareness about microfinance by advocating for press coverage, maintain an email discussion and announcement list, and facilitate dialogue with the State Bank of Vietnam on the legislation to license and regulate microfinance in Vietnam. Through these achievements, the network has become a social asset both for sector stakeholder institutions and for the millions of poor people served by microfinance programs across the country. Currently the network includes more than 160 participants coming from approximately 80 organizations including NGOs, INGOs, international organizations, donors, individuals and government agencies. Up to 30 organizations regularly attend meetings. At present, the MFWG communicates with participants mainly via an email list serve. 1
Microfinance Working Group Terms of Reference
This bulletin is designed to share experiences, disseminate best practices information and distribute performance
indicators of participating microfinance organizations in Vietnam
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The MFWG is coordinated by a voluntary Core Group of currently 10 local NGOs, International Organizations, NGO Resource Center and individuals who were elected by the Working Group participants at the Annual Meeting of MFWG in February 2007. The Core Group meets frequently to discuss all issues of common concern and is responsible for implementing working group strategies, activities and administration. Each year a Secretariat and Chair is chosen from amongst these organizations to lead the MFWG. The role of Chair is currently being filled jointly by Save the Children US and TYM Fund. The role of Secretariat is currently filled by M&D Center (Microfinance and Development Center). The Group has received grants from Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network for training and from Ford Foundation for institutional development. Both grants are managed by M&D Center on behalf of the Group. The MFWG is proud to be partners with ILO and The MIX. The Group has embarked on improving its activities by creating an independent and formal organization. By the end of 2007, the MFWG will develop a Charter, a formal organizational structure and membership as well as a strategy and business plan. Our services: •
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Capacity Building Trainings, Workshops, Conferences Information Dissemination Advocacy Performance Monitoring/Benchmarking Bi‐annual Bulletin Our donors: Our partners: Contact us:
Address: 3rd Floor, 88/64 Nguyen Luong Bang Street, Ha Noi, Vietnam Telephone/ Fax: (84‐4) 5131853 Email: The co‐chairs: Mrs. Duong Thi Ngoc Linh linh_tym@yahoo.com Mrs. Nguyen Hong Hanh hanhnh@savechildren.org.vn The Coordinator: Mr. Tran Ngoc Thinh tranngocthinh@gmail.com Website: http://www.mixmarket.org/en/partners/partners.show.profile.asp?ett=2112 http://www.ngocentre.org.vn/default.asp?page=forum_and_working_groups/microfinance