Foundation career interviews: technical assistance

Since 2013, the Foundation has sought to complement its approach with targeted expertise to strengthen the operational performance of its partners. For nine years now, we have been developing, coordinating, and implementing technical assistance programs.

In this interview, you will discover the testimony of Victoire Binson, responsible for technical assistance, who sheds light on her job and its impact.

In a few words, what technical assistance does the Foundation offer?
Technical assistance is an additional support mechanism intended for the Foundation's partners, whether microfinance institutions or social enterprises. The modalities of intervention are varied, including participation in training, support missions, and even co-financing for the acquisition of equipment. The Foundation plays a technical assistance coordination role within the framework of programs in conjunction with our technical and financial partners. Thus, as of the end of December 2021, nearly 380 technical assistance missions had been launched and coordinated by the Foundation.

What programs does the Foundation develop?
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation's offerings have continued to expand since the launch of its historic program, the African Facility, in 2008, aimed at strengthening small MFIs in rural areas. Since then, we have also launched a technical assistance program funded by the Luxembourg government and coordinated by the EIB to strengthen the capacity of microfinance institutions in sub-Saharan Africa. And in Uganda, with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and thanks to funding from the Swedish Cooperation Agency, we have also launched a program to provide refugee populations with access to financial and non-financial services.

What technical assistance programs does the Foundation offer to social enterprises?
We also have other programs open to social enterprises. First, the Solidarity Bankers program, which aims to enhance the skills of Crédit Agricole Group employees and allows our partners, microfinance institutions, and social enterprises, to benefit from pro bono field missions in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. And finally, we have a final program called the SSNUP program, whose objective is to strengthen the resilience of small producers and the structuring of agricultural value chains in Africa and Asia.

What are the main impacts of these programs?
The Foundation has just published a report on its technical assistance system in which it has identified three direct impacts:
First, assistance helps strengthen the operational performance of its partners; then, technical assistance helps develop new services, such as digitalization or microinsurance, and reach new targets, such as refugees. Finally, through these technical assistance programs, the Grameen Cédit Agricole Foundation promotes innovative practices and strengthens its ties with stakeholders in the inclusive finance sector.

What are the upcoming projects?
Technical assistance is an integral part of the Foundation's new 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and a key focus of its development. In 2022, we are also launching a program with the International Labor Organization and funded by PROPARCO that will enable us to support 12 of our microfinance institutions in Africa and Asia in developing microinsurance products. We have strong ambitions for both digital and climate resilience, and we will work to implement new support mechanisms to help our partners navigate this major transition.

Access the interview here