SmartAid for Microfinance Index 2007
Lugar y fecha de publicación: CGAP, sitio web
MFIs are rated. Why not microfinance funders? In 2007, CGAP piloted the SmartAid for Microfinance Index—an ambitious attempt to provide external assessments of funders’ instruments, strategies, staff, mechanisms for accountability, and knowledge management for supporting microfinance effectively.
Note: What SmartAid Means
The SmartAid for Microfinance Index (SmartAid) measures whether funding agencies are set up to support microfinance effectively. It scores agencies on a framework of five elements of effectiveness -strategic clarity, staff capacity, accountability for results, knowledge management, and appropriate instruments- that capture the requirements for quality aid management throughout the project or investment cycle. Similar to other indices, the goal for SmartAid is to include indicators that are simple and clear and which, when taken collectively, are comprehensive and clearly relate to effective aid management.
SmartAid builds on the premise that sound management systems, policies, procedures and incentives are necessary (though not sufficient) conditions for successful programs. In this vein, the Index is inspired by the ISO standards that specify the requirements for state-of-the-art products and services and for good conformity assessment, as well as managerial and organizational practice.
Specifically, SmartAid is designed to help funders identify areas in which they can improve their systems and policies for microfinance programming. The intent of SmartAid is not to judge or criticize, but rather to create a momentum for improvement.
CGAP_SmartAid_MicrofinanceIndex2007.pdf