Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest (CGAP)

CGAP (Consultative Group to Assist the Poorest) is located at the World Bank, but it operates as an independent institution to increase microfinance services to the world’s poor. CGAP understands that credit is a critical tool to eliminate poverty and hence collaborates with different partners to provide these services to the poor communities in developing countries. CGAP’s microfinance approach is commercially based; however, the focus continues to be at developing a sustainable model for finances services aimed for the poor.

The CGAP website does not give any clear information about grant support to NGOs. However, the World Bank’s brief about CGAP gives an indication that it provides some form of funding support to like-minded organizations. NGOs need to have sufficient experience in microfinancing and should, thereby, submit innovative proposals aimed at providing increased access to financial services for the poor. Sustainability is an important component of the microfinance initiative of the World Bank and hence, proposals should strongly highlight this relevant part of the intervention.

Proposals go through a lengthy process of approval since CGAP consists of several members. The CGAP Appraisal and Monitoring Service accepts the proposals. However, member countries can submit recommendations for organizations applying for the support. Since reference is important part of the proposal submission process, interested organizations can enlist themselves at the Microfinance Information Exchange website.

The contact information of CGAP is:

CGAP
900 19th Street, N.W.
Suite 300
Washington D.C. 20006
USA
URL: http://www.cgap.org