Ongoing Programmes of CARSA Microfinance
INCOME GENNERATING ACTIVITES: MICROCREDIT
Background of the Program:
CARSA believes that without economic development and solvency of the resource-poor beneficiaries, no macro level development initiatives can be sustainable. Moreover, easy access to capital is a precondition to initiate any economic activity. The Microfinance program of CARSA is working with the poor people of Bangladesh especially women in order to overcome poverty. It is a mechanism to make resources available to those who did not have access to resources from institutional sources such as the commercial banks.
From its inception CARSA emphasized on assisting local people, especially women, to secure income through their own efforts. In 1996 CARSA started this program with one unit and several hundred members. Based on successful operation in the preceding years and to retain the overall growth of the organization, CARSA management decided to carry on its expansion plan of microfinance program in more urban and rural areas by enrolling more distressed women, making credit available to the urban and rural poor enabling them to engage in different income generating activities, which in turn, enables them to become economically self-reliant. Through this process, CARSA proved itself a cost effective, sustainable, reliable financial service provider for employment and income generating activities of the poor.
Till now CARSA has organized more than 24817 members in about 1834 groups under this program, of whom more than 95% are women. Now this program covers 124 unions of 17 thanas of Madaripur, Shariatpur, Faridpur, Gopalganj and Barisal districts (Up to June, 2024). CARSA initiated this program with the help of ASA, but now it is mainly funded by Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF). Since 1997 CARSA has been working as one of the partner organizations of PKSF.
Specific Objectives of Micro Credit Programmes:
1. Increase income of the member-beneficiaries.2. To improve social status, through awareness development.
3. To involve women as economic performers by utilization of funds, increase savings and involve the whole family in income generating activities.
4. Through proper use of loans increasing the income level of the poor.
5. To create responsibility for each group member, generate income for poor families, improve leadership quality and also increase professional skill.
6. Upgrading the living standard of the poor families through creating employment opportunities for the rural poor.
Types of Micro Finance of CARSA:
1. Jagoron (Rural Micro Credit Loan).
2. Agrasor (Micro Enterprise Loan)
3. Shufalan (Seasonal, Agricultural Loan)
4. Buniud (Ultra Poor Program Loan).