Microcredit - The Gift That Keeps On Giving
This project supports 100+ new and existing businesses with a projection of 350 businesses in 3 years. Eight centralized volunteer credit committees serve 19 communities.
     | Entrepreneurs and families in the Coto Brus region of Southern Costa Rica are beneficiaries of Microcredit Programs designed to allow entrepreneurs to borrow money and to support business growth, family welfare and economic development in this region. At the outset, this project supports 100+ new and existing businesses with a projection of 350 businesses in 3 years. Eight centralized volunteer credit committees serve 19 communities. FUDECOSUR, the local NGO, had exhausted all available capital in a region where only 20% of the need was being met. This project injected much needed capital to support the credit needs of farmers, livestock operations and others. 40% of the businesses are owned by women. This project was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Lethbridge in Canada and San Jose Noreste in Costa Rica and, in addition to club money, received support from The Rotary Foundation, Rotary Districts 5360 and 4240 and matching funds from the Government of Canada.  |