October 2021
International Needs Australia International Needs Australia
IMPACT OF SOCIAL ENTERPRISE PROGRAM
Since 2015, INA has actively supported 18 social enterprise projects, benefiting 132 families and over 700 direct beneficiaries. Our investments have totalled about $300,000 in loans and grants, resulting in improved livelihoods and economic stability for the communities we serve. INA has been exploring how social enterprise can complement our development initiatives to generate new prospects of income generating activities and empower both individuals and communities.
PROFILES OF THE BORROWERS
The individuals we support in this program are primarily marginalised individuals who have undergone training in vocational skills and basic financial literacy and business management through INA's livelihood projects. Most of them are females aged between 20 and 40, representing a diverse group of entrepreneurs. These individuals often face significant challenges when seeking traditional bank loans, as they lack the necessary collateral and robust credit histories required by financial institutions. In some cases, they are burdened with document requirements they cannot fulfill. Some of the individuals in the past use dot resort to high-interest loans from informal sources that led to financial instability and risks. It is for this reason that the INA’s social enterprise fund is introduced to provide critical support and empowerment to this underserved demographic.
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