Microfinance

Since 1988, Catholic Relief Services' microfinance program has been reaching the world's poorest communities with access to financial services that are sustainable over time. CRS microfinance activities are deeply rooted in Catholic social teaching, which promotes the sacredness and dignity of the human person.

CRS' microfinance program is committed to serving the very poor, especially women and vulnerable populations in remote rural communities. CRS' programs target the self-employed poor who have little or no access to formal credit or savings services. Studies indicate that women are more likely to use their loans and profits to benefit their families by investing in their businesses and using additional income to meet household needs such as purchasing more and better quality food, improving family housing and health care, paying children's school fees, and saving for emergencies. Ironically, women are often the poorest members of their communities and control the fewest resources, even in societies where small businesses are traditionally the women's domain. Therefore, CRS’ microfinance programs are designed to strategically target women in an effort to uplift entire families and communities.

Who Benefits From Microfinance?

Currently, our microfinance programs reach more than 1 million clients (69.9 percent women) in 36 countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East, and Latin America and the Caribbean.