Fondo de Desarrollo Local (FDL) is one of the largest microfinance institutions in Nicaragua and has a strong gender impact, serving over 23,000 female clients, which constitutes 51% of its borrowers. With 77% of its portfolio concentrated in rural areas and 28% in the agricultural sector, FDL addresses the needs of the base of the pyramid, a demographic that makes up 70% of Nicaragua’s population. One of its beneficiaries is Marlene Orozco Cantero, a resident of the Ocote Tuma community in Waslala and a farmer involved in livestock, milk production, poultry, pig raising, and cultivating corn and beans. Marlene has been a client of FDL for over 16 years, receiving about nine loans that she has used to improve her home, buy land, and invest in her farm. She speaks highly of the strong partnership with FDL, valuing their attentive service and emphasising how mutual trust and her commitment to timely payments have enabled continued access to future loans. FDL is dedicated to reducing gender disparities and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, well aligned with GGSF’s mission and vision. The GGSF funding is a meaningful infusion of capital (3% of gross loan portfolio) that will make a significant difference for FDL and its clients.

Esta Dana Ventura obtained a loan from GGSF to bolster its microloan portfolio, particularly to finance and empower Indonesian women, who account for 95% of its borrowers. This funding enabled the expansion of the institution’s network into remote regions of Indonesia, such as Ternate and North Maluku, increasing the number of female borrowers to more than 250,000, with a total portfolio of almost USD 80 million. Esta Dana Ventura's network has grown from 48 branches in 2017 to 217 branches across Indonesia by 2023.
The GGSF funding also supported the institution’s liquidity, enabling it to provide financial assistance to clients while investing in and continuously upgrading their technology, establishing itself as one of the most digitally advanced microfinance institutions in Indonesia.
Beyond financial stability, the loans provided by Esta Dana Ventura to its end borrowers instil a renewed sense of hope and confidence in clients, empowering them to overcome challenges, develop their businesses, create new job opportunities, stimulate local economies, and contribute to the overall vitality of the business ecosystem.
An exemplary initiative is AkuEsta, a project where women are trained to create handcrafted bags, with the necessary materials financed until the products are sold. This project predominantly supports women, with 95% of its loans directed to female entrepreneurs. Furthermore, 76% of its workforce consists of women, emphasizing its commitment to empowering women through both financial support and employment opportunities.

BRAC Tanzania provides primarily microloans to different groups of end-borrowers. The bulk of their microfinance book represents group loans to women, often small traders - primarily from rural areas, who are either unbanked or under-banked. BRAC Tanzania also serves other rural client segments such as farmers, and young women entrepreneurs. In addition, the company provides social education and financial literacy through weekly group meetings to client groups. While its microfinance product type represents about 85% of its loan portfolio, BRAC Tanzania also offers agri finance & SME loans (about 15% of GLP).
BRAC Tanzania and GGSF (MEF at the time) have been partners since 2021, when BRAC received its first-time funding of USD 2M in local currency. In 2023, BRAC took a second USD 2M equivalent loan from GGSF as part of a larger funding initiative offered by responsAbility, one of GGSF’s Portfolio Managers. Such loans are used to on-lend to BRAC Tanzania’s growing portfolio of +USD 70M equivalent.
BRAC Tanzania is non-deposit-taking and as such relies exclusively on wholesale funding for its lending operations. BRAC Tanzania’s funding comprises mostly funding from the BRAC Group (its holding company) and local banks in Tanzania. Contrary to local banks, financing from GGSF is unsecured and varies between 24 and 36 months rather than 12 months, thereby allowing for better portfolio growth planning and stability.

Midland Microfin Limited (Midland) is a financial institution established in 2011, dedicated to providing financial services primarily to low-income women in rural areas. Midland secured USD 10 million from the GGSF, which constitutes 3.50% of their total portfolio and 6.50% of total refinancing. This funding is aimed at diversifying their loan products beyond micro-business loans into individual SME loans.

The GGSF facility allows Midland to offer longer maturity loans, accommodating extended repayment periods suitable for clients engaged in long-term projects. Introducing a 3-year loan product reduces pressure on Asset and Liability Management, enhancing financial stability and management of longer-term financing needs. Midland sought out GGSF due to shared goals of empowering women-led micro-enterprises and promoting financial inclusion. This partnership enhances Midland's credibility, provides tailored support, and offers robust impact measurement tools that appeal to investors interested in social impact.

 Mikrofin, a leading microfinance institution in Bosnia & Herzegovina, has long supported female entrepreneurs, who traditionally make up 40% of its clients and hold 37% of its loan portfolio. To expand its outreach, Mikrofin secured a EUR 10 million GGSF loan, representing 5% of its total assets, to boost liquidity and increase financing for women-led businesses.

With this funding, Mikrofin can dedicate more resources to female clients, enhancing both the number of loans and the overall portfolio dedicated to women entrepreneurs. Unlike other lending sources, GGSF funding is specifically tailored for gender-focused financial inclusion, making it a strategic funding choice for Mikrofin.

Recognising that many women entrepreneurs—especially those running small informal businesses—lack financial literacy and business knowledge, the FI launched the Women Entrepreneurship Academy with another Europe-based financial inclusion fund targeting Southeastern Europe. This initiative equips female entrepreneurs with essential skills like financial literacy and marketing, helping them scale and formalise their businesses. The long-term goal is to create a hub where entrepreneurs can come and take the necessary knowledge and capital to start a formal business. Such initiative forms the theme of the Gender Action Plan the PFI holds with GGSF.