ABOUT US
Your Partner for Financial Growth
Microfinance Innovation Center for Resources and Alternatives (MICRA) is a foundation focused on the development of the microfinance sector in Indonesia. MICRA was founded by Mercy Corps, an international NGO, in 2006 to institutionalize its joint “Commercial Linkages Pilot Project” with IFC PENSA (World Bank), as well as its long history of support to MFIs throughout Indonesia.
MISSION
Our mission is to build the institutional strength and capacity of the Indonesian microfinance sector. We work to provide a comprehensive range of high quality, best-practice solutions, underpinned by digital technology to support all industry stakeholders in a sustainable and demand-driven manner.
VISION
Our goal is to facilitate financially-inclusive and empowered communities that are capable of becoming financially resilient and stable in their everyday life. This vision led us to targeting our operations across three key focus areas:
FINANCIAL PORTAL
DIGITAL
EDUCATION
SUSTAINABLE
LIVELIHOODS
JOURNEY
2011-2012
Appointed by Mercy Corps to conduct Market Research for Financial Needs to Build Earthquake Resistant Houses in Padang and Padang Pariaman, Training of Trainers (ToT) Financial Literacy to Homeowners after Earthquake, and Disaster Preparedness Training for MFIs in Disaster Area (West Sumatera, DI Yogyakarta, Central Java, and DKI Jakarta)
2006
Founded by Mercy Corps, an international NGO to institutionalize its joint “Commercial Linkages Pilot Project” with IFC PENSA to support MFIs throughout Indonesia.
2009
Became an East Asian regional partner for The Microfinance Information Exchange Market (MIX Market).
2008
Started developing a scheme for Training of Trainers which is about financial analysis and adopting a modified CGAP module.
Also initiated Poverty Action Center (PAC) program that builds MFI outreach to the poor and focuses on identifying, promoting and linking pro-poor MFIs to possible financial resources.
2010
Performed technical assistance, ratings, and research for the World Vision Indonesia program.
2013
Funded by Ford Foundation on AGRICULTURE FINANCE Innovation Fund For Eastern Indonesia project to support innovation in the agriculture sector through collaborating with financial institutions, organisations, corporations, and small-scale agriculture value chains.
2015
Chosen by International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Asia-Pacific Rural and Agricultural Credit Association (APRACA) as the official consultant to assist the implementation of Rural Financial Services in Developing Countries program (RuFBeP) throughout Indonesia.
2017
Appointed by Tilburg University, World Bank, and J-PAL SEA to conduct a research study and training with topic “Business Practices of Small Retailers in Jakarta: Characterization, Adoption, and Their Impact on Business Growth”
2018
Appointed by Moris Rasik Foundation to conduct training with the topic banking risk management
Officially becoming Asian Affinity Holding Limited local partner in Indonesia.
2019
Appointed as a GIZ local partner to disseminate “Training of Trainers (ToT) on Financial Literacy of Microinsurance” for 4 trainings in Indonesia, that held in Jakarta, Bandung, Denpasar, and Maumere.
2020
Appointed by GIZ ISED and Great Giant Pineapple (GGP) to conduct “Training of Trainers (ToT) for Sustainable Business Plasma Farmers” that held in Lampung. Also appointed by Es Krim SERU, Unilever to conduct “Training of Capability Improvement for Juragan Es Krim SERU” that held virtually.
MICRA's foundation is built around the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our holistic approach to community development embodies the SDGs to deliver solutions that drive impact through financial resilience, poverty alleviation, climate adaptation, risk reduction, and inclusive education.
DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
M. ALFI SYAHRIN
Executive Director
The microfinance sector in Indonesia is one of the largest in the world with over 120,000 microfinance institutions (MFIs). Some of these MFIs had been in existence for more than 100 years. However, most low-income people in Indonesia still lack access to financial services. 32.2% of 269.6 million (86 million) Indonesian population still do not have access to financial products and services. In essence, MFIs in Indonesia has a low outreach growth and is still working on inefficient systems. In addition, the lack of access to affordable capital is the main obstacle in achieving development in these institutions.
This is the opportunity that we from MICRA are seeing. There is a large potential for growth in the microfinance sector if key inputs can be effectively provided on a wide scale across Indonesia. For more than millions of low-income underserved people in Indonesia, we are here to carry the light and be the resource for opportunities and innovations.
IMPACT
PARTNERS & CLIENTS
