PRATIQUES - Microfinance - UPLiFT (Manila)

UPLiFT Philippines, Inc.
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Country of intervention : Philippines City(ies) : Manila, Caloocan, Malabon, Quezon, Marikina, Bulacan Date of start-up of activities (month/year) : 1993 Date of institutional constitution (month/year) : 1993 Juridical status : Non Governmental Organization Address : 2/F APN Bldg., A. Mabini St., Maypajo, Caloocan City, Philippines Tel. : ((632) 285-4804/ (632) 287-2420 Fax : (632) 285-4804 E-mail : Cet e-mail est protégé contre les robots collecteurs de mails, votre navigateur doit accepter le Javascript pour le voir Internet Website : www.uplift.com Manager (director) : Cecile Guilbault	Key figures : Number and nature of the programs¹ / activities : 2 programmes Calma (Manila, Caloocan) and Bulazon (Bulacan, Quezon) Loans, savings, trainings. Uplift Network : knowledge management, best practices, training. Teams and number of field workers : 62 Teams in HO : 44 Total provisional budget 2006 (please mention the currency) : 11 mio php (Uplift only) Total number of direct beneficiaries per year : around 8 000 Sources of private and public subventions : French Ministry of Foreign Affairs European Union Entrepreneurs du Monde Others foundations
Historical of the creation :
The Urban Program for Livelihood, Finance and Training or UPLiFT Philippines, Inc. started in 1993 in Navotas, Manila under the name of “Neighborhood Business Association” (NBA), as a loan and savings program implemented by Inter-Aide, a French NGO. Its primary goal was to help the poorest members of the urban sector in their efforts to improve their economic conditions. In 1998, NBA merged with Link, another project by Inter-Aide that offered business training and support in job hunting, and became UPLift. The merger paved the way for a more holistic approach to community development.
Objective/mission :
UPLiFT Philippines, Inc. wants to see a society without poverty where people are productive, self-reliant, and live a balanced life with dignity and social responsibility. UPLiFT is committed to alleviate poverty in the Philippines by encouraging people in the depressed communities to achieve their full potential through microfinance, training and social services.
Action’s principles :
UPLiFT Phils Inc. uses a holistic approach to microfinance based on the belief that this will bring long-lasting benefits to the poorest families in urban depressed areas. Specificity of the Holistic Approach : UPLiFT targets highly depressed urban communities UPLiFT provides easy access to capital for the very poor UPLiFT favors the proximity with its beneficiaries referred to as “partners” UPLiFT implements an integrated approach UPLiFT continuously improves its methodology according to partners’ needs UPLiFT provides capability building and social services to compliment the loans and savings
Programs : Financial Services 1. Loans. UPLiFT gives character loans to the poorest members of the depressed communities who want to start or expand their business. Capital Build Up (CBU). To instill the value of Savings among its partners, UPLiFT requires that 25% of the loan amount be paid together with the weekly payments. When the loan is fully paid after 3 or 4 months, the partner is ensured that he/she has money saved with interest given by UPLiFT. Non-Financial Services Pulongs. These are trainings that help develop the business and entrepreneurial skills of the partners to aid them in the conduct of their businesses. There are also trainings that tackle social issues like Waste Management, Good Parenting, Family Budget, Reproductive Health, Values Formation, Gender Issues Business Development Skills Training These are business-oriented trainings that aim to equip partners with skills and knowledge to develop a certain product that can be an income generating activity. This program also makes referrals to partner agencies for external trainings on new businesses. Access to Company Employment (ACE) This is a program that supports the young find jobs in the formal sector through their Personality Effectiveness and Job Hunting Techniques Training, referral to partner companies, access to updated job lists as well as facilities and utilities. Serbisyong Pangkalusugan UPLift tied up with the Philippine Health Insurance Corporation to help partners become Philhealth members and gain access to its health insurance services. It also has a program called “Oras ng Pamilya “ where Social Development Coordinators spend time with partners to discuss concerns on different social and health-related issues and give referrals for services needed from other agencies. GabayBuhay This is a bi-monthly magazine in Filipino specifically for its partners. The publication provides partners information on a variety of topics that are useful in everyday lives.
Target groups and beneficiaries :
UPLiFT provides services to the poorest members of the depressed communities in urban areas. (about 8000 persons / year)
Operational Partners :
Inter-Aide, a French NGO provides the funding for the operation of the program. UPLiFT is a member of Association of Foundations, a network of NGOs whose main mission is to enable its member foundations to develop sustainable programs that serve their communities. UPLiFT has a network of seven member organizations: Bidlisiw Foundation and Share A Child Movement in Cebu, the Jose Luis Gonzaga Foundation in Bohol, KPKP in Malabon, BSRDC in Lumban, Laguna, and SEED and LEDC in Cavite.
Financing / Budget :
Budget for Uplift is 11 mio php (does not include expenses incurred in France), half of it is for the operational programs (Calma and Bulazon), the other half for the Central Head Office and the Resource Network.

PRATIQUES - Microfinance

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