An innovative FINCA Afghanistan project that "targets vulnerable Afghans, including unemployed/underemployed men and women, orphans, young former combatants, disabled persons, and ethnic minorities," is one of just five programs-selected from over 200 applications-to win a prestigious Pro-Poor Innovation Challenge (PPIC) award from the Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP). The PPIC award is a cornerstone of CGAP's agenda to support institutions that demonstrate effective models and methodologies for deepening poverty outreach and impact, while working toward sustainability.

FINCA Afghanistan is partnering with the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to link financial and non-financial services, enabling very poor Afghan households to overcome constraints to sustainable livelihoods. FINCA will offer financial services to new Afghan clients who will receive market-oriented skills training and business development support from IRC.   Launched in 2003 and today one of FINCA's fastest growing programs,  FINCA Afghanistan is a shining example of the power of microfinance to promote peace, civil society, equality and human dignity, as highlighted by the 2006 Nobel Peace Prize citation.

Rupert Scofield, FINCA's executive director, said, "FINCA shares CGAP's commitment to deepening the financial frontier to reach poorer people by creating financial services that reduce their vulnerability and empower them to create jobs, build assets and improve their standard of living. We are delighted that the Pro-Poor Innovation Challenge has recognized the ground-breaking work of our FINCA colleagues in Afghanistan and their partnership with the International Rescue Committee to create hope for Afghans in need."

Please support the Village Banking Campaign to help FINCA Afghanistan and FINCA's programs in 19 other countries around the world to expand their outreach to the poorest of the working poor.