FINCA CANADA

FINCA CANADA'S MISSION IS TO END POVERTY THROUGH SUSTAINABLE AND SCALABLE SOLUTIONS THAT ARE DRIVEN BY THE INSIGHTS AND NEEDS OF PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITIES WHERE THEY LIVE AND WORK. THE CHARITY DOES THIS THROUGH A RANGE OF PROGRAMS PROVIDING VARIOUS FINANCIAL SERVICES AND PRODUCTS TO INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES IN POOR COMMUNITIES IN DEVELOPING NATIONS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO HELP THEM BUILD AND GROW SMALL BUSINESSES IMPROVE THEIR LIVELIHOODS RISE FROM POVERTY AND OBTAIN THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF LIFE AS WELL AS TO IMPROVE THEIR LIVING CONDITIONS THEIR HEALTH THEIR EDUCATION LEVELS AND BENEFIT LOCAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND THE ENVIRONMENT. FINCA CANADA'S PRINCIPAL ACTIVITY IS MICROFINANCE: THE PROVISION OF SMALL LOANS AND OTHER FINANCIAL SERVICES TO POOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES THAT WOULD NOT OTHERWISE HAVE ACCESS TO MODERN TRADITIONAL BANKING AND FINANCIAL SERVICES.

FINCA CANADA'S NEW 5-YEAR PROJECT (2025-2029) TARGETS YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AND GENDER EQUALITY IN UGANDA AND TANZANIA ALIGNING WITH CANADA'S FEMINIST INTERNATIONAL ASSISTANCE POLICY (FIAP). THE PROJECT FOCUSES ON YOUTH AGED 30 AND UNDER ESPECIALLY WOMEN BY EXPANDING ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES THROUGH FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP. IN COLLABORATION WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES THE PROJECT WILL SUPPORT VOCATIONAL TRAINING ENTREPRENEURSHIP AND EMPLOYMENT. SKILL TRAINING (E.G. SOAP MAKING FISHERY CRAFTS) WILL BE PAIRED WITH LOANS FROM FINCA UGANDA AND TANZANIA TO HELP YOUTH START OR GROW THEIR BUSINESS. A BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM WILL OFFER BUSINESS SKILLS DEVELOPMENT MENTORSHIP AND EXPOSURE TO SUCCESSFUL LOCAL ENTERPRISES. INTERNSHIPS AND CAREER ADVANCEMENT PROGRAMS WILL ALSO BE AVAILABLE WITHIN FINCA. RESEARCH WILL BE CONDUCTED TO ASSESS YOUTH NEEDS IN FINANCIAL INCLUSION AND EMPLOYABILITY INCLUDING JOB MARKET ANALYSIS TO INFORM PROJECT STRATEGIES. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO PROVIDE FINANCIAL EDUCATION ACCESS TO FINANCIAL SERVICES AND BUSINESS LOANS TAILORED TO YOUTH. FINCA WILL USE A CUSTOMER-CENTRIC MODEL TO ENSURE PRODUCTS MEET YOUTH CLIENTS' NEEDS. TO IMPROVE ACCESS MOBILE APPS AND AGEN BANKING WILL BE EXPANDED WITH TRAINING PROVIDED. THE PROJECT WILL ALSO DEPLOY A NEW DIGITAL PLATFORM TO REDUCE SERVICE COSTS AND ENHANCE AFFORDABILITY AND ACCESSIBILITY. ULTIMATELY THE PROJECT AIMS TO RAISE YOUTH INCOMES REDUCE UNEMPLOYMENT AND ALLEVIATE POVERTY IN BOTH COUNTRIES.