Many implementing organizations encounter challenges to deepening outreach, from capacity limitations to regulatory restrictions. The self-help group delivery model helps implementing organizations overcome these challenges because

• it can be promoted by both formal and informal implementing organizations, such as non-governmental organizations and community-based organizations, without strong expertise in microfinance but with strong commitment to social outcomes;

• it does not require external loan capital since it is savings-led;

• it can be implemented in areas with modest economic potential, such as poor, remote locations;

• it offers a familiar environment since self-help groups around the world mimic traditional informal financial services structures; and

• it offers opportunities for spontaneous replication of the model by members themselves, which increases outreach while reducing costs and pressure on implementing organizations.

Recognizing the promise of the self-help group delivery model, Freedom from Hunger is engaged in collaboration and innovation on several fronts:

• Since 2005, we have partnered with Oxfam America to implement a self-help group pilot project in Mali called Saving for Change.  The goal of this project is to develop, improve and standardize self-help group implementation materials and tools and to promote self-help groups to reach tens of thousands of women. 

• Since 2002, we have collaborated with Catholic Relief Services in India and, more recently, Oxfam America in Mali, to design, test and implement Learning Conversations for use by self-help groups.  These Learning Conversations, a dialogue-based education method, address issues such as self-help group enhancement, financial savings, malaria, HIV/AIDS and other critical topics.

Equipped with tested materials and experience in Mali and India, Freedom from Hunger is poised to expand the self-help group delivery model throughout West Africa and self-help group supportive products and services throughout eastern and northeastern India.    We plan to do so through another Freedom from Hunger initiative, Reach.  Reach utilizes a franchise mechanism to distribute proven self-help resources and associated technical assistance to self-help promoting institutions on a massive scale.