Microfinance Housing Finance Public Finance Community Development Slum Upgrading Basic Services & Community Infrastructure Employment Generation
E x p a n d i n g t h e f r o n t i e r s o f f i n a n c e & d e v e l o p m e n t. The Development Innovations Group (DIG) is a private, international firm committed to fostering innovative solutions in the fields of financial services for the poor, urban and community services, and fund management. Our strategy is to augment the inherent strengths of local communities, entrepreneurs, and private sector organizations with DIG s global development expertise to spur dynamic, locally-driven development. DIG works in developing and transitioning economies, as well as in post-emergency and post-conflict settings. Our key partners include private financial institutions, government agencies, donor organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). DIG is registered in Maryland, USA and in Beirut, Lebanon.
The Development Innovations Group is dedicated to excellence in management, program design, training, research, and advisory services. We believe that financial services for the poor and urban and community services are mutually reinforcing pillars upon which communities can build a platform for sustained economic growth and improved social well-being. Fund management plays a pivotal role in bolstering these development pillars by supporting the activities of development-focused enterprises. What we do I. Financial Services for the Poor DIG specializes in microfinance, housing finance, and public finance providing the following key services: Microfinance Market Assessment Product Design Systems & Tools Development Training for MFIs, NGOs & Banks Supporting Regulators & Policy Makers Linking Microfinance to Banks Housing Finance for the Poor Housing Microfinance Micro-Mortgage Finance Economic Recovery Policy & Regulatory Environment Public Finance Municipal Finance & Cost Recovery Small Infrastructure Finance Smart subsidies Private/Public Partnerships II. Urban & Community Services DIG offers program management & advisory services in the following areas: Community Development Slum Improvement Basic Services & Community Infrastructure Employment Generation Organizational Development & Capacity Building for NGOs & CBOs Youth Entrepreneurship Skills Training Emergency & Post-Emergency Reconstruction III. Fund Management At the global level, DIG assists in the management of funds invested in profitable development finance institutions. Within a country-specific context, DIG manages or services commercial funds invested in microfinance, small business and housing finance for the poor. Services offered in this realm include: Fund Design Management of Debt and Equity Financial analysis and monitoring of large, high performance loan portfolios Specialized knowledge in microfinance markets, small business lending, housing finance for the poor, as well as other commercially viable development ventures.
Development Finance MICROFINANCE Market Assessment: Microfinance market assessments a core area of DIG s expertise precede the product design phase and shed important light on: the nature of existing financial services, the composition of the financial spectrum, potential demand for financial products, the size of the market, and the repayment capacity of potential clientele. Product Design: Designing a microfinance product properly from the outset may be the most critical step in the startup of a microfinance institution (MFI). DIG experts provide tailored training and advisory services in the areas of business planning, product design and pricing, operational methodologies, and monitoring and evaluation. Systems & Tools Development: Establishing proper systems and procedures is the next step towards ensuring the successful execution and sustainability of a microfinance operation. DIG works with MFIs, commercial banks and NGOs to develop the full array of institutional systems and management tools, from loan applications and approval systems to operating manuals, employee incentive schemes, and MIS system requirements design. Training for MFIs, NGOs & Banks: One of the greatest obstacles to mainstreaming microfinance today is the lack of adequate human capital. DIG helps MFIs, NGOs and commercial banks equip their managers, supervisors and field staff with the skills necessary to manage the myriad challenges of running an efficient microfinance operation. Linking Microfinance to Banks: DIG assists banks to structure, train, and operationalize microfinance divisions. DIG also links commercial banks with MFIs through comprehensive servicing arrangements. HOUSING FINANCE Housing Microfinance: Key services DIG offers in the field of housing microfinance include: market assessments; product design; systems and tools development training; design of guarantee facilities; and advising regulators and policy makers. Micro-Mortgage Finance: As the capital markets in developing countries grow, the demand for conventional mortgages is increasing. DIG works with governments, regulatory authorities and the financial sector to build their capacities to meet this demand, and to determine the feasibility of mortgage finance systems for the poor. PUBLIC FINANCE Municipal Finance: DIG experts work with local and national authorities to assess the feasibility of municipal bond floatation, and how municipal finance initiatives can be leveraged in support of development objectives such as slum improvement. Small Infrastructure Finance: Small and community-based infrastructure financing differs significantly from mainstream microfinance and more formal municipal finance schemes. DIG works with local stakeholders to design innovative and appropriate financing mechanisms for small and community-based infrastructure.
Urban & Community Services COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Designing successful community-based development programs requires a holistic approach that builds on the input and commitment of local stakeholders. DIG experts design and implement community development programs that combine innovative participatory approaches with labor-intensive methodologies, thus building community assets while generating employment and building vocational skills. SLUM IMPROVEMENT BASIC SERVICES & COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE The provision of basic infrastructure and services are essential to the socioeconomic growth of healthy communities. DIG experts can design and manage programs focusing on water and sanitation, roads, electricity, and waste management in rural and urban settings. EMPLOYMENT GENERATION DIG designs and manages cutting-edge community improvement programs that combine innovative microfinance and municipal financing mechanisms to deliver basic services (electricity, sanitation, roads, etc.) to urban slum dwellers. Our staff works with national and local governments, financial institutions, the private sector, NGOs and CBOs to design integrated programs that address the infrastructure, health, education and financial service needs of informal settlements. DIG views labor-intensive programs as a key component of urban and community infrastructure development. Such programs provide ample opportunity to immediately address underemployment, while offering the long-term benefit of improved vocational and business skills for entrepreneurs and job seekers. Fund Management FUND MANAGEMENT Fund Management is a critical mechanism for mobilizing the substantial capital and resources needed to support the broad scale of expansion of development finance. DIG seeks to leverage investments from multilateral development institutions, foundations, and socially-minded investors to design and manage funds that support viable development finance institutions at both the global and national levels. Through equity investments, debt financing, and guarantee facilities, these funds will stimulate the growth of microenterprise development, small business lending, housing finance, public infrastructure, and other commercially viable development ventures, while providing reasonable rates of return to investors.
DIG s clients and partners include: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Boulder Institute of Microfinance Consultative Group to Assist the Poor (CGAP) European Investment Bank (EIB) Habitat for Humanity International ImagineNations Group International Finance Corporation (IFC) International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) KfW Entwicklungsbank Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) Tameer Microfinance Bank United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) United States Agency for International Development (USAID) The World Bank DIG is based in Washington, DC and Beirut, Lebanon. Our staff includes development professionals who are worldwide experts in microfinance, housing finance, urban and community services, community development, infrastructure rehabilitation, postdisaster reconstruction and fund management. We are committed to expanding the frontiers of finance and development by helping our clients design and manage innovative high-impact programs, and by helping poor entrepreneurs and families around the world increase their incomes and build their asset base. Who we are DIG FOUNDERS Franck Daphnis, President & CEO Mr. Daphnis is a recognized leader in microfinance, housing finance, and urban development. He has authored and edited several publications on housing finance, including the seminal work, Housing Microfinance: A Guide to Practice (Kumarian Press, January 2004). Mr. Daphnis has served as a key advisor on development finance and urban issues to numerous noteworthy institutions including: the Cities Alliance; CGAP; IFAD; SIDA; and the World Bank. Dr. Mayada Baydas, Senior Vice President & Managing Director Dr. Baydas is a leading expert and published author in the field of microfinance. Her research and practical skills focus particularly on the commercialization of microfinance through NGO and banking sector partnerships. Dr. Baydas established and served as Executive Director of the largest microfinance organization in Lebanon. She has worked in more than 30 countries, mainly in the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Delila Khaled, Vice President, Programs Ms. Khaled brings more than 10 years of experience working with private sector, nonprofit, multi-lateral and bi-lateral development institutions. She has extensive experience in the design and management of programs in myriad development contexts including, post-emergency and conflict settings. Her broad expertise includes microfinance, community services and infrastructure rehabilitation, employment generation, and investment promotion. Ruby AlSalem, Director, Microfinance Consulting Services Ms. AlSalem has designed, implemented and co-managed several programs related to microfinance, cooperative strengthening, and institution building in the Middle East. She is an experienced microfinance operations manager and trainer. Ms. AlSalem has delivered comprehensive training programs for staff of commercial banks and MFIs in Jordan, Romania, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon and Pakistan.
Development Innovations Group USA 4330 East-West Hwy, Suite 1150 Bethesda, MD 20814 Phone: 301-664-9644 Fax: 301-664-9645 Lebanon Gefinor Center, Block D 301-1 Clemenceau St., Beirut Phone / Fax: +961-1-746 595 www.developinnovations.com