Episode 4: Building Empires from Dreams – Dolores M. Torres' Blueprint for Poverty Eradication
Discover the podcast: Episode 4
Welcome to our podcast series
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation continues its podcast series that brings you transformative stories of leaders from the Grameen family who are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social business across the globe. In this fourth episode, we sit down with Dolores M. Torres, president emeritus of CARD (Center for Agriculture and Rural Development), one of the one of the world's largest women-focused microfinance institutions , to explore how a vision born from personal commitment has transformed the lives of more than 10 million Filipinos.
What you'll discover
Dolores M. Torres shares her remarkable journey from a young volunteer with the Philippine Business for Social Progress to co-founding CARD with just 20 pesos and a dream. Discover how she developed a business that now operates through 3,700 offices, and how the Grameen model inspired her to create institutions owned and governed by the women they serve. Learn how listening to clients transformed a single microfinance organization into a group of 34 interconnected institutions serving insurance, education, healthcare and financial services to over 33 million Filipinos.
Key Highlights
- From Volunteer to Visionary : How personal experience with poverty fueled a lifelong commitment to social development and inspired the founding of CARD in 1989 with just 89 women members
- The Power of Client Ownership : Why placing institutions directly in the hands of poor women, through board representation, policy design, and strategic decision-making, became the cornerstone of CARD's extraordinary success
- Inspired by Grameen : How Professor Muhammad Yunus's credit discipline model transformed CARD's operations, starting with 100% repayment rates among the first 89 women members and scaling into a global movement
- Listening as Strategy : The transformative practice of continuously listening to clients' needs, from training under mango trees to building a government-authorized microfinance school, that led to the creation of 34 diverse institutions
- Homegrown Leadership : How CARD's commitment to staff development created a culture of retention, with the first account officer becoming managing director and the first bookkeeper now leading the bank
- Microfinance as Vocation : The critical message for the next generation: treating microfinance not as a job but as a calling, while embracing digital transformation and AI to attract younger leaders without losing sight of the human mission
- Scaling with Purpose : How strategic partnerships with organizations that share CARD's mission, rather than those imposing external agendas, enabled sustainable growth and authentic impact
Why this matters
As the world faces rapid technological change and shifting development priorities, Dolores M. Torres' story demonstrates that sustainable poverty alleviation requires more than financial innovation. It demands genuine commitment, client empowerment, and the courage to dream big while staying grounded in core values.
In an era where AI and digital tools are reshaping financial services, CARD's experience shows how technology can enhance rather than replace the human touch that defines transformative microfinance. The emotional connection between staff and the communities they serve remains the true engine of change.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, women leaders and activists, technology innovators, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through client-centered finance, women's empowerment, and social business.
Key quote
" We dream big, just like Grameen Bank. When we started CARD as an NGO, we dreamed of establishing a bank that would be owned by the poor women. At that time, it looked impossible. We only had 20 pesos. But we promised them we will build a bank that you will own, and we realized it. » – Dolores M. Torres
Listen now
Be inspired by a leader who has dedicated her life to proving that poverty is not inevitable, it is a choice we can collectively reject through inclusive finance, women's empowerment, and unwavering commitment to social mission.
________________________________________
A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business : Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to our podcast series to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
Discover the podcast via this link
French transcript
English transcript
Grameen Family Gathering
Proparco and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation strengthen their historic partnership
A partnership of more than 15 years that continues to grow stronger. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation teams welcomed at the Foundation the one from Proparco to celebrate and deepen this strategic collaboration in the service of financial inclusion in Africa and Asia.
A meeting rich in exchanges and results
This meeting allowed both organizations to capitalize on their common successes and share the progress of high-impact projects: financial inclusion of displaced populations in Uganda, the support of microfinance institutions on gender issues and climate change adaptation, as well as the development ofoffers innovative microinsurance offerings..
The signing of a 9th ARIZ guarantee
The highlight of this visit was the signing of the ninth ARIZ portfolio guarantee for an amount of 25 million euros. This guarantee, granted by PROPARCO, will enable the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation to continue and expand its activity in riskier geographies where access to financial services remains limited.
Françoise Lombard, CEO of Proparcostressed the importance of this partnership: 'GCA is a valuable partner for Proparco, thanks to its recognized expertise and ability to innovate to meet the needs of financial inclusion, particularly of women and people in rural areas. Today, we are very pleased to strengthen our partnership with the signing of this ninth ARIZ portfolio guarantee.’ »
Beyond the signature, the real impact
For Véronique Faujour, Secretary General of Crédit Agricole Group, this signature has a profound meaning: ‘What matters to us is not the signing of a guarantee, but what it makes possible on the ground: resilience, dignity and opportunities where they are most lacking.’ »
This renewed partnership between Proparco, and the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation reflects a shared conviction: financial inclusion is a major lever for sustainable development and social transformation.
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation joins FAIR
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation announces its integration into FAIR, THE French collective of social and ecological impact finance. This membership marks a strengthening of its commitment to solidarity finance and transparency.
FAIR: a collective dedicated to impact finance
Founded in 2021, FAIR brings together more than 150 committed stakeholders Financial institutions, management companies, social enterprises, NGOs, universities, and prominent figures. Recognized as the French center of expertise FAIR, a social impact finance company, is committed to a world where finance is a major lever major to transitions, giving priority social and environmental impact. The collective works towards building a more humane economy, a more united society and a fairer world.
By joining the collective, members benefit from regular expertise, advocacy with public authorities, increased visibility, funding synergies with other social and solidarity economy actors, as well as the opportunity to contribute to discussions on financial innovation and impact.
A strengthened positioning to enhance impact
This membership in FAIR strengthens the position of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation as a’trusted player in socially responsible finance and financial inclusion. It demonstrates its commitment to using finance to achieve social and climate impact on a global scale.
Through this approach, the Foundation reaffirms its commitment to responsible, transparent finance that is truly oriented towards social and environmental change.
Learn more on the FAIR Finance website via this link.
Podcast: A Journey with Changemakers in Inclusive Finance and Social Entrepreneurship #4
Episode 4: Building Empires from Dreams – Dolores M. Torres' Blueprint for Poverty Eradication
Discover the podcast: Episode 4
Welcome to our podcast series
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation continues its podcast series that brings you transformative stories of leaders from the Grameen family who are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social business across the globe. In this fourth episode, we sit down with Dolores M. Torres, president emeritus of CARD (Center for Agriculture and Rural Development), one of the one of the world's largest women-focused microfinance institutions , to explore how a vision born from personal commitment has transformed the lives of more than 10 million Filipinos.
What you'll discover
Dolores M. Torres shares her remarkable journey from a young volunteer with the Philippine Business for Social Progress to co-founding CARD with just 20 pesos and a dream. Discover how she developed a business that now operates through 3,700 offices, and how the Grameen model inspired her to create institutions owned and governed by the women they serve. Learn how listening to clients transformed a single microfinance organization into a group of 34 interconnected institutions serving insurance, education, healthcare and financial services to over 33 million Filipinos.
Key Highlights
Why this matters
As the world faces rapid technological change and shifting development priorities, Dolores M. Torres' story demonstrates that sustainable poverty alleviation requires more than financial innovation. It demands genuine commitment, client empowerment, and the courage to dream big while staying grounded in core values.
In an era where AI and digital tools are reshaping financial services, CARD's experience shows how technology can enhance rather than replace the human touch that defines transformative microfinance. The emotional connection between staff and the communities they serve remains the true engine of change.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, women leaders and activists, technology innovators, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through client-centered finance, women's empowerment, and social business.
Key quote
" We dream big, just like Grameen Bank. When we started CARD as an NGO, we dreamed of establishing a bank that would be owned by the poor women. At that time, it looked impossible. We only had 20 pesos. But we promised them we will build a bank that you will own, and we realized it. » – Dolores M. Torres
Listen now
Be inspired by a leader who has dedicated her life to proving that poverty is not inevitable, it is a choice we can collectively reject through inclusive finance, women's empowerment, and unwavering commitment to social mission.
________________________________________
A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business : Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to our podcast series to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
Discover the podcast via this link
French transcript
English transcript
Episode 4: Building Empires from Dreams – Dolores M. Torres's Action Plan for Eradicating Poverty
Episode 3: From Founder to Visionary: Alex Counts' Plan for Coordinated Impact
Podcast: A Journey with Changemakers in Inclusive Finance and Social Entrepreneurship #3
Episode 3: From Founder to Visionary: Alex Counts' Plan for Coordinated Impact
Discover the podcast: Episode 3
Welcome to our podcast series
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation continues its podcast series that brings you transformative stories of leaders from the Grameen family who are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social business across the globe. In this third episode, we sit down with Alex Counts, founder of Grameen Foundation and pioneering architect of microfinance for over 30 years, to explore his vision for a unified and coordinated Grameen movement.
What you'll discover
Alex Counts shares his remarkable journey from a decade-long apprenticeship with Professor Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh to founding Grameen Foundation, leading it for 18 years, and remaining an adviser and friend of the organization to this day. Discover how the microfinance sector has evolved from a revolutionary idea, that the world's poor are bankable, into a global movement, and how strategic coordination among Grameen organizations can amplify collective impact in an era of rapid technological change.
Key Highlights
Why this matters
As the world faces unprecedented challenges, from artificial intelligence to geopolitical shifts, the Grameen family must function as a coordinated movement while maintaining the human touch and moral compass that defines our mission. Alex Counts' vision for strategic collaboration offers a roadmap for amplifying our collective impact on poverty alleviation and financial inclusion.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, technology innovators, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through coordinated action, inclusive finance, and social business.
Key quote
" If we can use technology, but not have technology use us, I think we can create real change. " – Alex Counts
Listen now and be inspired by a leader who continues to shape the future of inclusive finance.
" A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business " Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to our podcast series to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
Discover the podcast via this link
French transcript
English transcript
Interview with Thomas Hugues by Véronique Faujour at B SMART 4Change
Developing agroecological practices for small producers in Benin
Disrupted by climate change and biodiversity loss, small-scale farmers face increased threats to their crops, requiring profound adaptations. In this context, the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation launched a technical assistance project to support RENACA (the National Network of Self-Managed Village Savings and Credit Unions of Benin) in strengthening financing for actors in agricultural value chains and reducing the climate vulnerability of small-scale producers, with funding under the SSNUP program.
The project was built around three complementary levers:
Thanks to this pilot project, agroecology is recognized as a preferred practice for reducing risks in agricultural activities and increasing incomes. Furthermore, RENACA has strengthened its autonomy in providing advice and training through skills transfer, thereby reducing its dependence on external consultants.
This pilot project quantified the transformative impact of RENACA on beneficiary farmers. The majority of them (821) reported an improvement in their farming practices, while 601 diversified their production. Even more remarkably, 851 farmers reported an increase in their production, including 541 on the same area of land, demonstrating a significant improvement in productivity.
Beyond agricultural results, a study conducted by 60-decibels showed that 891 farmers reported an improvement in their quality of life. Financially, 771 farmers benefited from better planning skills thanks to improved financial discipline, while 771 increased their savings and 831 farmers increased their agricultural investments. Finally, 741 farmers were now able to cope with emergency expenses, with 701 attributing this financial resilience to the support provided by RENACA.
Learn more in our full report and through the study conducted by 60_decibels:
Improving the provision of financial and non-financial services for small producers in Benin