Theme: Financial Capability

As Bangladesh celebrates 50 years of independence, we look back at one of its greatest gifts to the world—microfinance. This blog highlights the role of Bangladesh’s four pioneering institutions—Grameen Bank, BRAC, ASA, and BURO Bangladesh—in the origin of microfinance and its local popularization, global adaptation, business model optimization, and product innovation.

Second in a two-part series, this blog provides recommendations to address the challenges and gaps in the last-mile delivery of pension payments under the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).

Digital technology is transforming the way we respond to emergencies. Donors and governments have been forced to turn to more innovative ways to distribute relief aid to reach the last mile as an alternative to physical distribution, especially after COVID-19. Our blog explores the use of electronic vouchers for the distribution of relief, with an emphasis on the benefits of using the e-voucher system over physical distribution of aid.

Millions of low-income people across the world use ROSCAs as instruments of savings and credit. Since these people are susceptible to income volatility, ROSCAs give them the unique option to pursue a savings goal, as well as an opportunity to build social capital and creditworthiness.

This blog examines the factors that influence people’s food choices and thus their nutritional intake. It also highlights the need for nutrition literacy among the PDS beneficiaries.

This blog presents the challenges faced by India to shift the focus of its public distribution system from food security to nutrition security.