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Rethinking risk: A GEDSI-adjusted credit assessment tool for inclusive green finance in Indonesia

This blog explores inclusive green finance for Indonesian women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women with disabilities. It highlights MSC’s gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI)-adjusted credit tool for fairer lending decisions.

Access to finance remains a challenge for women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), especially those led by women with disabilities. Several factors limit their access to credit, such as inaccessible services, gaps in financial data, implicit bias, and unsuitable financial products.  

At the Financial Inclusion Week (FIW) 2026, MSC brought together representatives from Indonesia’s Financial Services Authority (OJK), the Terala Foundation, and KINETIK to explore how financial institutions can make green finance more inclusive.

Conventional lending criteria may not capture a business’s full potential. As the illustration shows, inclusive green finance requires lenders to look beyond perceived risk and assess a business’s actual potential.

(Credit: Sonja Niederhumer’s visual illustration, developed during the session) 

Retnia Wulandari, Sustainable Finance Directorate Manager from OJK, highlighted the need to advance inclusive and green finance together. She emphasized the central role of the regulatory framework in achieving both objectives. Policies and initiatives, such as the Taxonomy for Sustainable Finance (TKBI) and gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI)-related disclosures can support environmental and inclusion goals. 

Tien Mulyanthi, Founder and Executive Director of the Terala Foundation, highlighted the challenges women with disabilities face. She noted that exclusion can begin even before the loan application stage. Financial institutions must address accessibility barriers, data gaps, and differences in business circumstances from the outset.  

Pujiaryati Anggiasari, GEDSI Partnership Manager from KINETIK Hub, emphasized the importance of collaboration between development partners and national counterparts to turn initiatives into action. Government agencies, regulators, financial institutions, the private sector, civil society, organizations for persons with disabilities (OPDs), and development partners all have a role in addressing these interconnected barriers. 

Putu Monica Christy, GEDSI Sector Lead from MSC, introduced the Integrated Loan Application Initial Assessment Tool for GEDSI and Green Criteria. MSC developed the tool in collaboration with the Terala Foundation, with support from KINETIK. The tool offers financial service providers (FSPs) a low-barrier entry point to integrate GEDSI, disability inclusion, and green practice into loan assessments.  

As Indonesia advances its sustainable finance agenda, financial institutions can maintain rigorous lending standards and account for factors conventional approaches may overlook. 

You can access the recording of the session through the Center for Financial Inclusion YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCFIchannel/playlists  

You can access the link to the Integrated Loan Application Initial Assessment Tool for GEDSI and Green Criteria: https://www.microsave.net/2026/07/13/integrated-gedsi-and-green-loan-assessment-for-inclusive-financing/  

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jayan-nair

Rahmatika Febrianti

 Assistant Manager
jayan-nair

I Gusti Agung Rama Raditya

 Associate