The essentials of our action in 2018

Today, 2.1 billion people are living under the poverty threshold, with 767 million of them living in absolute poverty. Three quarters live in a rural area and rely on subsistence agriculture. In 2018, we set these rural and isolated popu-lations as a top priority. Two workshops were organ-ised to help the 60 partici-pants involved in our MFIs1 to better meet the challenges of agriculture. They shared their good prac-tices and experiences and cocreated innovative support and financing solutions.All our partners received guid-ance so that we could offer very flexible microloans. For instance, loans with deferred repayment for market gardening activities or “in fine” loans which allow farmers to reimburse the capital in its entirety at harvest time.Training units on agricultural techniques were created to help farmers improve their yield, reduce loss risks, etc. We also increasingly encourage them to adopt environmentally friendly practices: crop combi-nation, agroforestry, compost production, etc.

Empowerment of long-standing partners

Created in 2012, the Assilassimé association in Togo reached two milestones: 25,000 microentre-preneurs and break-even. With a social performance score of 80 out of 100, a 100% Togolese team and a board of directors composed of qualified people who share our social vision, Entrepreneurs du Monde’s goal has been achieved!Close to financial stability, Palmis Mikwofinans Sosyal in Haiti became a corpora-tion, and Sont Oo Tethwin in Myanmar started its incorpo-ration process.

Preparation of future programmes

With a view to incubating new programmes, Entrepreneurs du Monde is conducting feasi-bility studies in new coun-tries. The preselection of the studied countries was based on 3 criteria: the HDI2, the FINDEX3 financial inclusion rate and the countries’ level of stability/security according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.In April 2018, a study was led in Sierra Leone, one of the poorest countries in the world, torn apart by years of civil war.The methodology suggested by Entrepreneurs du Monde was very well received by the population, local authorities, funders and NGOs. As a result, following the study, the launch was planned for 2019: launching the administrative procedure to create a local entity, recruiting a programme manager, setting up the processes, etc.

In West Africa and in Haiti, the majority of the popula-tion is under 25 years old. This youth represents an unprec-edented growth opportunity. Yet, unemployment rates are high among young people, in particular women, forcing them to turn towards the informal sector. Access to professional training and guidance towards employment is difficult, because of their illiteracy, their isolation and their exclusion, but also simply because of their igno-rance of existing opportunities. As a result, 37% of young people wish to emigrate to another country.Self-employment through the creation of very small businesses (VSB) and access to sustainable employment through occupational inte-gration are therefore two major challenges to take on, in particular in the outskirts of the capitals and in the surrounding rural towns. The “Support for VSB creation and occupational integration” service is Entrepreneurs du Monde’s answer to this major challenge.

3 new programmes

Thanks to the AFD’s funding agreement, three programmes were launched in 2018: Ligoden in Senegal, Emergence in Burkina Faso and Miawodo in Togo, all while maintaining the support to “Osez l’entreprise” (Dare entrepreneurship), in Haiti, which aims for self-sufficiency in 2019.In each country, the most prom-ising industries to encourage the creation of VSBs or orien-tate job-seekers were carefully identified. In Burkina Faso and Togo, the energy sector was picked out as a priority, in concert with Entrepreneurs du Monde’s energy programmes.

Synergies and capitalisation

The programmes tied links with local professional training centres and companies, to develop synergies between the private sector and the youths, and promote access to a decent job. With the help of Entrepreneurs du Monde’s technical support team, they fine-tuned the definition of their social performance strategy, the adaptation of their training and the individ-ualised support provided to the recipients, and the imple-mentation of a management and reporting tool. In addition, an international workshop dedicated to entre-preneurship and occupational inclusion was organised in Togo. It brought together our 4 programmes and several technical and financial partners for the first time. The plenary sessions were punctuated by site tours to visit entrepre-neurs and startup incubators. Every participant left with ideas of good practices to copy

More and more often, our teams are going into rural areas where energy access is more complicated. In Togo, Mivo Energie has established itself in Kara, in the north of the country. In Burkina Faso, Nafa Naana launched a pilot project to sell solar kits equipped with Pay-as-you-go technology, to make it easier to buy these kits via weekly mobile banking payments: a solution adapted to those living far from the electricity grid! In Cambodia, the mini grid pilot is prom-ising: houses in the same village are equipped with linked solar kits that form a modular mini grid. They power lightbulbs and fans and allow the use of more powerful electrical appliances which are essential to income-generating activities: refrigerators for the sale of beverages and fresh produce, egg incubators, etc.

Ongoing innovation

Adaptation to the needs of vulnerable populations is a feature of all Energy programmes. It requires thorough examination of the needs of beneficiaries and their satisfaction, and a permanent technological watch.To identify, select, negotiate and purchase equipment with the best value for money, the Energy Unit set up a central purchasing unit in 2018: an excellent tool to identify the right equip-ment and benefit from better purchasing conditions.

Social performance

Our action to promote access to energy has an impact not only on users but also on the entire value chain: craftsmen who produce improved stoves, local small and medium busi-nesses, and reseller networks.We regularly evaluate this social performance. For example, in 2018, at Mivo in Togo, a social audit highlighted very strong performance in terms of Partnership, Project and Ethical Principles, but uncov-ered areas for improvement to better understand the profile of beneficiaries and strengthen the social mission.At ATE Co. in the Philippines, the team defined its theory of change, accompanied by principles of action and social indicators. This work resulted in a social charter that will be the benchmark for monitoring its social performance.In addition, a major impact study is underway to measure and value our impacts on the environment, health, finances and household living conditions.

Valuing our expertise

L’Oréal chose Nafa Naana to facilitate access to econom-ical stoves for shea butter producers and thus reduce its ecological footprint. Other international groups bought our first certified carbon credits in 2018.