GEMicro’s ultimate mission is to support the economic empowerment of excluded and disadvantaged poor individuals, groups and communities wherever they are, to help them improve their lives and surroundings, and raise their living standards. At the root of many of the challenges that we tackle lies financial exclusion and microfinance has been heralded as a solution.
However, we believe that microfinance has to be about a partnership with the poor, not just financing and receiving a guaranteed return in the form of interest – something that has led to mission drift and excess in the industry. A new, better approach is required and achievable.
In participatory financing, both parties are exposed to risk and mutually share in financial rewards. This is best expressed in the idea of ethical and Islamic finance. The GEMicro Group only works with organisations that seek to embody these unique values.