In February 2026, Camille Huret of Foster Impact Advisory and Guilhem Vincent of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation conducted a two-week mission to the Philippines to meet with existing partners and new prospects of the Foundation, and also as part of the Women Empowerment for Climate Fund (WEC).
The Philippines, facing an intensification of extreme weather events, naturally fit into the strategy of both institutions, which aim to strengthen the adaptation of rural communities to climate change. This mission allowed us to discover a diverse range of actors involved in several key sectors: from the inclusive finance to sustainable agriculture, passing through the cold chain in the fishing industry.
The team notably met Kennemer Foods International, a partner of FGCA since 2022, which works to promote sustainable agriculture in Mindanao, particularly through the cocoa and banana value chains. They also met Agronomika Finance Corporation, an entity of the Kennemer group, having benefited from a SSNUP Technical Assistance Program, aiming to strengthen its capacity to offer financial services to rural women. Agronomika enabled Camille and Guilhem to collect the testimonials of 35 women on the impacts of climate change in their communities, as well as on the local solutions being considered. The vast majority of these people expressed needs for solar water pump as well as climate resilience work for their home and their business.
While these testimonials are not representative on a large scale, they will provide valuable insights to inform the WEC's strategy and guide the development of its investment pipeline. Corresponding product offerings could be developed, such as index-linked loans coupled with targeted technical assistance.
Ghuilem Vincent, Philippines, February 2026
This mission also provided an opportunity to meet other field partners such as the NGO Acted.
The operational launch of the WEC, which supports women's empowerment facing climate change in emerging countries through debt financing for microfinance institutions and SMEs, is planned for the second half of 2026.
This mission illustrates ongoing commitment from FGCA and WEC for a more resilient and sustainable future.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/publications-site.png7071151Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-24 12:02:502026-03-24 12:25:33Mission to the Philippines: Meeting with stakeholders in climate change and sustainable agriculture
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/capture-decran-2026-03-13-100307-e1773392653375.png441991Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-14 20:05:352026-09-02 09:09:50No. 3: Four Years of Support for Inclusive Insurance
How an ambitious program transformed the approach to microinsurance at twelve microfinance institutions.
Every year, millions of smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia see their crops devastated by natural disasters. A quarter of adults in low- and middle-income countries have already been affected by such a disaster. For farming households, this reality is not abstract: the loss of income often means the loss of a future.
Faced with this emergency, how can we protect the most vulnerable? How can we transform microfinance into a shield against climate unpredictability?
An ambitious program: four years to lay the foundations
Between 2021 and 2025, a program funded by Proparco and implemented by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and the ILO supported twelve microfinance institutions in Africa and Asia to develop microinsurance solutions adapted to populations vulnerable to climate shocks.
The approach adopted was progressive and structured: raising awareness among teams, providing in-depth technical support, and then offering intensive assistance with the integration of expertise within the institutions. The results speak for themselves: insurance departments created, agricultural products tested, teams trained, and strategic partnerships established.
Despite these advances, the path to large-scale inclusive insurance remains fraught with obstacles:
Lack of reliable data : without robust climate and agricultural data, it is difficult to design relevant and viable products.
Low insurance culture Rural populations have little knowledge of insurance and its benefits.
Massive need for digitalization Technologies must be accessible and adapted to rural contexts.
Fragile business models Without patient and long-term investment, these initiatives remain precarious.
From experimentation to large-scale : the frontier
These four years have laid solid foundations. They have demonstrated that, with the right support, microfinance institutions can become credible players in inclusive insurance.
But the real question now is: how do we move from experimentation to scaling up?
Faced with accelerating climate change, inclusive insurance must no longer be a pilot project. It must become a structuring pillar of agricultural and financial resilience. This requires long-term commitments, patient investments, and the political will to transform these foundations into sustainable markets.
The question is no longer whether we should invest in inclusive insurance. It is: how do we structure sustainable commitments to make them a reality for millions of small farmers?
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/capture-decran-2026-03-13-100307-e1773392653375.png441991Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-14 19:59:592026-03-14 20:47:02Four Years of Support for Inclusive Insurance
Md. Ashraful Hassan, Chairman of the Grameen Group, has just been elected to board of directors of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and takes over the Vice-Presidency of the Foundation. This appointment recognizes his long-standing commitment towards our foundation's mission of financial inclusion and social empowerment.
With more than 40 years of experience professional With Grameen, his professional journey demonstrates a deep understanding of the social enterprise ecosystem of the Grameen Group.
As a board member of over 30 companies, Md. Ashraful Hassan possesses extensive expertise spanning telecommunications, healthcare, education, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and rural development. He ensures that all initiatives remain firmly aligned with Grameen's social enterprise principles and shared mission. Zero poverty, Zero unemployment and Zero Net Carbon Emissions.
Listen to his story in our podcast
Discover how Md. Ashraful Hassan guided the evolution of the Grameen Group, transforming Professor Muhammad Yunus's pioneering microfinance initiative in 1976 into a comprehensive ecosystem of 31 social enterprises. In this podcast, he shares how listening to the needs of borrowers led to innovative solutions covering health, renewable energy and digital financial services, all guided by the vision of the Three Zeros.
His election to the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation strengthens the link between the two founding organizations of the Foundation and opens of new perspectives to amplify the collective impact in favor of financial inclusion and the empowerment of the most vulnerable populations around the world, particularly women.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/profile-picture-ashraful-hassan-1.jpg828875Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-10 12:17:362026-03-10 16:15:37Md. Ashraful Hassan: New Vice President of the Foundation
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ashraful-hassan-2.png10801920Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-06 15:22:072026-03-11 09:28:37Episode 1: A journey with changemakers in inclusive finance and social entrepreneurship
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is thrilled to launch an exciting new podcast series that brings you transformative stories of game-changing leaders from the Grameen family which are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social enterprise worldwide. In this inaugural episode, we meet Md. Ashraful Hassan, President of the Grameen Group, to explore his remarkable 40-year journey from engineer to visionary social leader.
What you'll discover
Md. Ashraful Hassan shares how the Grameen Group has evolved from Professor Muhammad Yunus's pioneering microfinance initiative in 1976 into a comprehensive ecosystem of 31 social enterprises tackling poverty, unemployment, and climate change. Find out how listening to the needs of borrowers led to the creation of innovative solutions covering health, renewable energy and digital financial services — all guided by the powerful vision of Three Zeros: Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions.
Key Highlights
The evolution of microfinance From credit-only programs to comprehensive social enterprise models addressing interconnected challenges
Empowering the next generation How Grameen Group's entrepreneurship programs, including Nobin, have created over 200,000 new jobs and inspired youth-led innovation
Revolutionary initiatives in health A 700-bed hospital meeting international standards and the Shukhi digital health platform serving 3.5 million subscribers, bringing quality healthcare services to underserved communities.
Integrating social impact with profitability How social enterprise creates a lasting and scalable impact while maintaining its financial viability
Why this matters
In a world facing unprecedented challenges, Md. Ashraful Hassan's approach demonstrates that inclusive finance and social enterprise are much more than tools for poverty reduction. They are catalysts for systemic change which tackle interconnected global problems. His vision shows how strategic innovation, rooted in the needs of communities, can amplify transformative impact and inspire a global movement.
This episode is particularly timely as the Grameen family reunites to strengthen their collaboration and amplify their collective impact.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through finance and business.
Listen now and be inspired by a leader who truly makes a difference.
" A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business " Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/ashraful-hassan-1-1.png10801503Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-03-06 15:20:002026-05-18 16:30:24Podcast: A Journey for change in Inclusive Finance and Social Entrepreneurship #1
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is proud to announce the signing of a new loan agreement with a new partner, Delta, a Microfinance Institution (MFI) in Uzbekistan. This collaboration is notable for its unique structure: it is a loan whose interest rate is indexed to the achievement of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and impact indicators.
This innovative format reflects the alignment between the Foundation's and Delta's interests. Improving the institution's socio-environmental performance has a direct impact on the cost of funding, creating a strong incentive to commit to concrete objectives.
• The improvement of Delta's overall ESG performance.
• Improving customer service and borrower protection.
• The collection of in-depth impact data on the IMF's clientele.
A historic first in the Uzbek microfinance sector
This signing marks a significant first: it is the very first loan of this type in the microfinance sector in Uzbekistan.
The country, which recently opened its non-banking market to international investors, is booming. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is positioning itself there to support the development of responsible microfinance, following the successes seen in recent years in Central Asia.
This loan is fully aligned with the Foundation's approach of offering innovative financing products to its partners. This approach was recently shared during the training session organized by InFiNe on impact finance. More information on the training and testimonial.
Zoom on Delta
Founded in 2009, Delta is an Uzbek financial institution specializing in microcredit services, primarily for individuals and micro-enterprises without access to traditional banks. Delta began operations in the capital, Tashkent, before gradually expanding to other regions of the country. Today, the organization has a network of over 30 branches, enabling it to cover a large area, with a strong presence in rural communities.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/img-20250916-wa0001.jpg9601280Philippe Guichanduthttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pngPhilippe Guichandut2026-02-26 12:03:132026-02-26 12:53:08The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Delta sign a loan indexed to ESG criteria, an innovative scheme in Uzbekistan
The very first conference was held in Paris on February 11th and 12th. First Meeting of the Grameen Family, marking a historic moment in the collective journey towards a world Three zeros: Zero poverty, Zero unemployment and Net zero carbon emissions.
The event brought together more than 60 participants from 25 organizations of 18 countries to strengthen their ties and amplify their collective impact. Participants shared diverse experiences from around the world focusing on financial inclusion, women's empowerment, digital technology, climate action strategies, etc.
This meeting represents the first step towards a more interconnected Grameen ecosystem that honors its shared heritage of Prof. Muhammad Yunus while embracing the innovation needed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The workshops and discussions highlighted that cooperation is essential to addressing complex global problems, with participants recognizing that their diversity is also their strength.
The event reinforced Grameen's fundamental conviction: When you trust people, they live up to your expectations.. This principle also extends to institutions, with the meeting serving as a call to transform shared values into common actions.
https://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/dsf1581-1-scaled.jpg16132560limbushttps://www.gca-foundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/logo-gca-fondation-fr.pnglimbus2026-02-19 19:01:522026-05-05 14:57:16Grameen Family Gathering
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Episode 2: From Economist to Women's Champion – Roshaneh Zafar's Vision for Financial Inclusion
Mission to the Philippines: Meeting with stakeholders in climate change and sustainable agriculture
Ghuilem Vincent, Philippines, February 2026
In February 2026, Camille Huret of Foster Impact Advisory and Guilhem Vincent of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation conducted a two-week mission to the Philippines to meet with existing partners and new prospects of the Foundation, and also as part of the Women Empowerment for Climate Fund (WEC).
The Philippines, facing an intensification of extreme weather events, naturally fit into the strategy of both institutions, which aim to strengthen the adaptation of rural communities to climate change. This mission allowed us to discover a diverse range of actors involved in several key sectors: from the inclusive finance to sustainable agriculture, passing through the cold chain in the fishing industry.
The team notably met Kennemer Foods International, a partner of FGCA since 2022, which works to promote sustainable agriculture in Mindanao, particularly through the cocoa and banana value chains. They also met Agronomika Finance Corporation, an entity of the Kennemer group, having benefited from a SSNUP Technical Assistance Program, aiming to strengthen its capacity to offer financial services to rural women. Agronomika enabled Camille and Guilhem to collect the testimonials of 35 women on the impacts of climate change in their communities, as well as on the local solutions being considered. The vast majority of these people expressed needs for solar water pump as well as climate resilience work for their home and their business.
While these testimonials are not representative on a large scale, they will provide valuable insights to inform the WEC's strategy and guide the development of its investment pipeline. Corresponding product offerings could be developed, such as index-linked loans coupled with targeted technical assistance.
Ghuilem Vincent, Philippines, February 2026
This mission also provided an opportunity to meet other field partners such as the NGO Acted.
The operational launch of the WEC, which supports women's empowerment facing climate change in emerging countries through debt financing for microfinance institutions and SMEs, is planned for the second half of 2026.
This mission illustrates ongoing commitment from FGCA and WEC for a more resilient and sustainable future.
No. 3: Four Years of Support for Inclusive Insurance
Four Years of Support for Inclusive Insurance
How an ambitious program transformed the approach to microinsurance at twelve microfinance institutions.
Every year, millions of smallholder farmers in Africa and Asia see their crops devastated by natural disasters. A quarter of adults in low- and middle-income countries have already been affected by such a disaster. For farming households, this reality is not abstract: the loss of income often means the loss of a future.
Faced with this emergency, how can we protect the most vulnerable? How can we transform microfinance into a shield against climate unpredictability?
An ambitious program: four years to lay the foundations
Between 2021 and 2025, a program funded by Proparco and implemented by the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and the ILO supported twelve microfinance institutions in Africa and Asia to develop microinsurance solutions adapted to populations vulnerable to climate shocks.
The approach adopted was progressive and structured: raising awareness among teams, providing in-depth technical support, and then offering intensive assistance with the integration of expertise within the institutions. The results speak for themselves: insurance departments created, agricultural products tested, teams trained, and strategic partnerships established.
Despite these advances, the path to large-scale inclusive insurance remains fraught with obstacles:
These four years have laid solid foundations. They have demonstrated that, with the right support, microfinance institutions can become credible players in inclusive insurance.
But the real question now is: how do we move from experimentation to scaling up?
Faced with accelerating climate change, inclusive insurance must no longer be a pilot project. It must become a structuring pillar of agricultural and financial resilience. This requires long-term commitments, patient investments, and the political will to transform these foundations into sustainable markets.
The question is no longer whether we should invest in inclusive insurance. It is: how do we structure sustainable commitments to make them a reality for millions of small farmers?
Read the full article via this link.
Md. Ashraful Hassan: New Vice President of the Foundation
Grameen Family, Paris, February 11, 2026
Md. Ashraful Hassan, Chairman of the Grameen Group, has just been elected to board of directors of the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and takes over the Vice-Presidency of the Foundation. This appointment recognizes his long-standing commitment towards our foundation's mission of financial inclusion and social empowerment.
With more than 40 years of experience professional With Grameen, his professional journey demonstrates a deep understanding of the social enterprise ecosystem of the Grameen Group.
As a board member of over 30 companies, Md. Ashraful Hassan possesses extensive expertise spanning telecommunications, healthcare, education, renewable energy, financial inclusion, and rural development. He ensures that all initiatives remain firmly aligned with Grameen's social enterprise principles and shared mission. Zero poverty, Zero unemployment and Zero Net Carbon Emissions.
Listen to his story in our podcast
Discover how Md. Ashraful Hassan guided the evolution of the Grameen Group, transforming Professor Muhammad Yunus's pioneering microfinance initiative in 1976 into a comprehensive ecosystem of 31 social enterprises. In this podcast, he shares how listening to the needs of borrowers led to innovative solutions covering health, renewable energy and digital financial services, all guided by the vision of the Three Zeros.
Listen to the podcast: Episode 1: From Engineer to Social Leader – Md. Ashraful Hassan's Vision for the Grameen Group
His election to the Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation strengthens the link between the two founding organizations of the Foundation and opens of new perspectives to amplify the collective impact in favor of financial inclusion and the empowerment of the most vulnerable populations around the world, particularly women.
Episode 1: A journey with changemakers in inclusive finance and social entrepreneurship
Podcast: A Journey for change in Inclusive Finance and Social Entrepreneurship #1
Episode 1: From Engineer to Social Leader – Md. Ashraful Hassan's Vision for the Grameen Group
Discover the podcast: Episode 1
Welcome to our new podcast series
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is thrilled to launch an exciting new podcast series that brings you transformative stories of game-changing leaders from the Grameen family which are reshaping the landscape of inclusive finance and social enterprise worldwide. In this inaugural episode, we meet Md. Ashraful Hassan, President of the Grameen Group, to explore his remarkable 40-year journey from engineer to visionary social leader.
What you'll discover
Md. Ashraful Hassan shares how the Grameen Group has evolved from Professor Muhammad Yunus's pioneering microfinance initiative in 1976 into a comprehensive ecosystem of 31 social enterprises tackling poverty, unemployment, and climate change. Find out how listening to the needs of borrowers led to the creation of innovative solutions covering health, renewable energy and digital financial services — all guided by the powerful vision of Three Zeros: Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, Zero Net Carbon Emissions.
Key Highlights
Why this matters
In a world facing unprecedented challenges, Md. Ashraful Hassan's approach demonstrates that inclusive finance and social enterprise are much more than tools for poverty reduction. They are catalysts for systemic change which tackle interconnected global problems. His vision shows how strategic innovation, rooted in the needs of communities, can amplify transformative impact and inspire a global movement.
This episode is particularly timely as the Grameen family reunites to strengthen their collaboration and amplify their collective impact.
Perfect for
Impact investors, social entrepreneurs, development professionals, policymakers, nonprofit leaders, and anyone passionate about creating meaningful change through finance and business.
Listen now and be inspired by a leader who truly makes a difference.
" A Journey for Change in Inclusive Finance and Social Business " Where impact meets innovation.
Subscribe to stay updated on upcoming episodes featuring other transformative leaders from the Grameen family who are driving change across continents and sectors.
French transcript
English transcript
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation and Delta sign a loan indexed to ESG criteria, an innovative scheme in Uzbekistan
A partnership dedicated to impact
The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is proud to announce the signing of a new loan agreement with a new partner, Delta, a Microfinance Institution (MFI) in Uzbekistan. This collaboration is notable for its unique structure: it is a loan whose interest rate is indexed to the achievement of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) and impact indicators.
This innovative format reflects the alignment between the Foundation's and Delta's interests. Improving the institution's socio-environmental performance has a direct impact on the cost of funding, creating a strong incentive to commit to concrete objectives.
• The improvement of Delta's overall ESG performance.
• Improving customer service and borrower protection.
• The collection of in-depth impact data on the IMF's clientele.
A historic first in the Uzbek microfinance sector
This signing marks a significant first: it is the very first loan of this type in the microfinance sector in Uzbekistan.
The country, which recently opened its non-banking market to international investors, is booming. The Grameen Crédit Agricole Foundation is positioning itself there to support the development of responsible microfinance, following the successes seen in recent years in Central Asia.
This loan is fully aligned with the Foundation's approach of offering innovative financing products to its partners. This approach was recently shared during the training session organized by InFiNe on impact finance. More information on the training and testimonial.
Zoom on Delta
Founded in 2009, Delta is an Uzbek financial institution specializing in microcredit services, primarily for individuals and micro-enterprises without access to traditional banks. Delta began operations in the capital, Tashkent, before gradually expanding to other regions of the country. Today, the organization has a network of over 30 branches, enabling it to cover a large area, with a strong presence in rural communities.
Photos Grameen Family Gathering
Grameen Family Gathering
Grameen Family, Paris, February 11, 2026, ©Philippe Lissac
The very first conference was held in Paris on February 11th and 12th. First Meeting of the Grameen Family, marking a historic moment in the collective journey towards a world Three zeros: Zero poverty, Zero unemployment and Net zero carbon emissions.
The event brought together more than 60 participants from 25 organizations of 18 countries to strengthen their ties and amplify their collective impact. Participants shared diverse experiences from around the world focusing on financial inclusion, women's empowerment, digital technology, climate action strategies, etc.
This meeting represents the first step towards a more interconnected Grameen ecosystem that honors its shared heritage of Prof. Muhammad Yunus while embracing the innovation needed to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The workshops and discussions highlighted that cooperation is essential to addressing complex global problems, with participants recognizing that their diversity is also their strength.
The event reinforced Grameen's fundamental conviction: When you trust people, they live up to your expectations.. This principle also extends to institutions, with the meeting serving as a call to transform shared values into common actions.
→ Full event report
→ Field News Article
→ Video Message from Professor Yunus
→ Opening speech by Mr. Md. Ashraful Hassan
→ Opening speech by Mr. Raphaël Appert
→ Key Note Speech by Abdul Hai Khan
→ Closing remarks for the first day by Ms. Véronique Faujour
→ Closing remarks by Mr. Md. Ashraful Hassan
→ Event presentation
→ Full event document
→ Photos