2012 activity report
TRANSCRIPT
2012 Activity Report
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About the Organization
PlaNet FinanceFounded :1998Head Quarter : Paris, FrancePresident : Jacques AttaliVice President : Arnaud VenturaStaff : 1,000 (Approx)
PlaNet Finance JapanFounded :2006Office : Tokyo, JapanPresident : Robert Verdier Executive Director : Kazuko TanakaBoard Members :11, Auditor : 1Staff : 9
Right : Jacques Attali (President of PlaNet Finance)Left : Muhammad Yunus (President of International Advisory Board of PlaNet Finance)
Jacques Attali’s BiographyProfessor, writer, Honorary Member of the Council of State, Special Adviser to the President of the French Republic from 1981 to 1991, founder and first P res iden t o f the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in London from 1991 to 1993. Jacques Attali is currently CEO of A&A and President of PlaNet Finance.
An International Network of Field Experts: Active in 80 Countries
1PlaNet Finance is an international non-governmental
organization (NGO) that aims to alleviate poverty worldwide
through the development of microfinance. Based in Paris,
PlaNet Finance is active in more than 80 countries and
provides technical assistance and advisory services
to microf inance players and stakeholders involved in
microfinance.
PlaNet Finance’s Mission is to alleviate poverty through
the development of microfinance, therefore increasing the
unbanked and the underbanked’s access to financial services.
PlaNet Finance Japan (PFJ) is a nonprofit organization
(NPO) established in 2006 with the mission to increase
Japan-originated microfinance supporting activities. PFJ’s
activit ies include conducting microfinance projects in
developing nations and financial inclusion projects in tsunami
affected areas of Japan, and also raising public awareness
and deepening understanding about microfinance.
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1.Project period : 9 February to 13 June 2012
2.Consigner : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
3.Budget : 23,638,750 JPY
Date collection survey on agricultural development financial program in South Africa
Projects Completed in 20122
PlaNet Finance Japan conducted thorough research
to uncover suitable approaches to develop the commercial
activities of small-scale farmers in South Africa through
loans, technical assistance and value-chain linkage. Since
the abolition of the apartheid regime in 1994, the government
of South Africa has promoted land reform programs which
aimed to rebalance the land allocation between larger
white farmers and blacks who has been oppressed due to
discrimination. After 10 years of land reform initiatives, there
are currently over 3-4 million black small-scale farmers in the
country.
J ICA plans to prov ide a yen loan to the Land and
Agricultural Development Bank, a governmental financial
institution focused on agricultural development in order to
enhance the financial access of small-scale farmers. There
is limited access to financial services for farmers due to
their limited financial standing. The yen loan aims to expand
financial inclusion by backing up the Land Bank’s value chain
finance program targeted at the commercial small-scale
farmers.
The research was conducted from February to June
2012. The research focused on evaluating current agricultural
production and management practices, identifying the
need for assistance and understanding Land Bank’s
financial condition and
management plans. The
study was carried out in
association with experts
from PlaNet Finance’s
S ou th A f r i c a O f f i ce ,
which have ex tens ive
expertise in agricultural
finance and agricultural
management.
1.Project period : December 2011 to March 2012
2.Consigner : Ministry of Environment
Partner : Institute for Global Environmental Strategies
3.Budget : 1,500,000JPY
Role of Microfinace as a countermeasure against Climate Change
PlaNet Finance Japan jointly conducted a research with
the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES)
about the current status of microfinance sector in Asia and
how microfinance can contribute as a countermeasure
against climate change and environmental issues both
in the realm of adaptation and mitigation. The study was
funded by the Ministry of Environment of Japan as part of
their initiative to investigate into practical measures against
climate change. The study was based on in-depth literature
study and personal interviews to practitioners in the field,
and provided practical policy recommendations which would
expand the utilization of microfinance as a countermeasure
against climate change.
PlaNet Finance JapanFounded :2006Office : Tokyo, JapanPresident : Robert Verdier Executive Director : Kazuko TanakaBoard Members :11, Auditor : 1Staff : 9
Right : Jacques Attali (President of PlaNet Finance)Left : Muhammad Yunus (President of International Advisory Board of PlaNet Finance)
1.Project period : October to December 2012
2.Consigner : An insurance company in Japan
Microinsurance survey in Bangladesh
The study focused on understanding the current state
of the microinsurance sector in Bangladesh and the needs/
demands of low-income households on insurance. It was
commissioned by a large insurance company in Japan in
order to identify an appropriate approach for the company to
devise assistance to promote microinsurance.
Low-income individuals generally face large risks in
their life due to illness, injury and disasters which cause the
loss of the income source. In addition, the social security
system by the government is quite weak. Thus, a low cost
insurance service that serves as a safety net to vulnerable
individuals is necessary to provide protection against such
risks. In Bangladesh, both local insurance companies
and microfinance institutions are quite active in promoting
microinsurance services. However, further advancements
in product offerings and risk management systems are
important and Japanese insurers can play a role in the area.
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1.Project period : Year-round
2.Donor : Toyota Tsusho Corporation
3.Number of participants :
Sequence and one-day workshops Approx. 150people
University lectures Approx. 150 people
3University Meets PlaNet Finance
One of the main goals of PlaNet Finance Japan (PFJ)
is to raise public awareness and disseminate knowledge
regarding microfinance, poverty issues and sustainable
development through business. University Meets PlaNet
Finance (UMPF), funded by Toyota Tsusho Corporation,
del ivers training programs to university students and
business people. Carried out mainly by university students
under an internship program, UMPF offers two kinds of
workshops: sequence workshops delivered over two months
and one-day workshops. Both consist of lectures and group
works which give participants a deeper understanding of
microfinance.
In 2012, PFJ held a sequence workshop in Tokyo from
July to September and one-day workshop in Tokyo and
Osaka, in June and December respectively. Also, in July,
PFJ invited Mr Jeffrey Ordonez, Executive Director from the
Mindanao Microfinance Council and offered opportunities for
the university students, including those under an internship
program, to gain knowledge and learn experiences of
microfinance on the field. In addition, PFJ delivered lectures
in Keio Business School, Keio University, Saitama University,
Tama University and Toyo Gakuen University.
1.Project period : September 2011 to August 2014
2.Funder : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Counterpart : Mindanao Microfinance Council (MMC)
3.Budget : 64,274,345JPY
Improving Financial Access of Small Scale Farmers in Mindanao
PlaNet Finance Japan (PFJ) has been carrying out
the technical assistance project commissioned by JICA
since September 2011, aimed at building the organizational
capacity of microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Mindanao,
Philippines. Targeting two MFIs (Aakay Ang Milamdec
Microfiannce Foundation, Inc. (an NGO based in Cagayan
de Oro) and Bansalan Cooperative Society (a cooperative
based in Davao del Sur)), PFJ is operating the project
together with its counterpart, Mindanao Microfinance Council
(MMC). The main components of the project are to assist
MFIs to: 1) design and introduce agricultural microfinance
products which are suited to farmers whose incomes
fluctuate according to the seasons; 2) diffuse financial
literacy training for borrowers to control and operate their
household finance more wisely; and 3) build the capacity
of the MFIs in order to implement Social Performance
Management (SPM), which enable them to achieve their
social mission together with their financial goals.
In 2012, PFJ started the activities from the institutional
diagnostics of partner MFIs in January and conducted a
series of SPM workshops to integrate social performance
into their management processes from April to June. In July,
PFJ invited Mr Jeffrey Ordonez, Executive Director of MMC,
and held the first reporting seminar in Tokyo, following the
market research for the designing of the agri microfinance
product and the needs assessment for the development
of the financial literacy module. In 2013, PFJ will develop
the agri microfinance product and financial literacy module
based on the research
conduc ted, and w i l l
proceed to pilot testing,
roll out and monitoring
of the product.
Project On-going in 2012 3
5
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1.Project period : April 2013 to March 2015
2.Funder : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
Co-proposer : SAKATA SEED CORPORATION
3.Budget : 49,764,000 JPY
Preparatory Survey on BOP business on incubation program for emerging small-scale vegetable farmers through production and business training
PFJ has partnered with Sakata Seed Co., Ltd, a major
provider of vegetable seeds globally, to conduct a feasibility
study for the Base-of-Pyramid (BOP) business in South
Africa. The business aims to improve the income of the
small-scale vegetable farmers by establishing “Sakata
Vegetable Institute” and providing production and business
training, as well as supporting linkages, to finance and retail
outlets. This two years’ project is called “Preparatory Survey
on BOP business on incubation program for emerging small-
scale vegetable farmers through production and business
training”. It also aims to help Sakata Seed further promote its
high quality commercial seeds by developing farmers’ skills
and improving their production capacity in order to sustain a
commercially-viable business.
PlaNet Finance Japan will provide business and financial
literacy training to improve the farmers’ businesses. Also, it
will facilitate with local financial institutions the development
of value-chain finance programs that aim to reinforce the
value-chains of their farming production.
Project Scheduled in 2013
1.Project period : 10 October 2012 to 18 January 2013
2.Consigner : Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)
3.Budget : 1,235,850 JPY
Capability Enhancement Training – Microfinance Course
PlaNet Finance Japan was in charge of material revision
and facilitation during the group works in a Capability
Enhancement Training – Microfinance Course held by JICA.
This training was targeting the technical cooperation experts
who already have development field experience in developing
countries. Participants are expected to acquire knowledge
and technologies that are vital to the using of microfinance
to supply aid. Giving participants a better understanding of
the microfinance program of JICA was another objective
of this training. The 5-days’ training course has a broad
range of subjects such as understanding the microfinance
market and recent global trends in microfinance, laws and
regulations, as well as case studies. The training structure
was the combination of lectures by JICA staff and group
works, helping participants deepen their understandings
of microfinance more practically. During the group works,
active discussion was raised by those who had various
backgrounds experience in the development field, conducted
under the facilitation of PlaNet Finance Japan staff.
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5 -1 Project Completed in 2012 ●France O-kaeshi Project
5 - 2 Project On-going in 2012 ●Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery
PlaNet Finance Japan (PFJ) is assisting the recovery of
oyster farms in Sanriku, severely destroyed by the 11 March
tsunami, with support from La Foundation de France and
Rochefort Saintonge Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
both public foundations in France.
When disease hit French oysters in the 1960s and
1970s, threatening the industry with extinction, Japanese
oyster farmers saved the industry by sending Sanriku oyster
seeds to them. In return, 12 tons of equipment, such as
buoys and ropes, were delivered to tsumami-affected oyster
farmers and fishermen four months after the disaster. The aid
was provided by the joint operation of MULOT SAS, one of
the world’s leading equipment makers for oyster farming, and
SDV KK, a large French logistics firm.
This gesture gained attention and led to official support
in the form of 250,000 Euros from the Foundation de
France. In full collaboration with iLink Corporation, which
plays a central role in assisting the recovery of the Sanriku
oyster farming and fishery industries, PFJ acts as the overall
coordinator to deliver necessary equipment and supplies so
as to assist the beneficiaries in resuming their operations.
In December 2011, the farmers purchased oyster seeds,
which were their most critical and immediate need. In 2012,
PFJ provided engine pumps and anchors to further support
the recovery in oyster production. Also, PFJ provided for the
development of a simple lodge in the area where visitors can
enjoy the oysters which have been freshly caught from the
local farming area.
“Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery” was
established in November 2011 through the partnership of
Planet Finance Japan, Mercy Corps, Shinkin Central Bank
and Kesennuma Shinkin Bank. The fund has been supporting
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in the
affected areas; Kesennuma, Minami-sanriku, Rikuzen-takada,
and Ofunato. Initially the Fund was established through a
USD 2 million grant from Mercy Corps, a global humanitarian
aid organization, and was supplemented by up to USD 4
million in April 2012 via contribution from Nvidia Corporation,
a major US based IT company. The Fund consists of three
programs, as follows; ❶ grant for reemployment of MSMEs’
staff, ❷ a grant for new business start-ups and ❸ a loan
product with a reduced interest payment burden through the
offering of an interest subsidy over a certain period.
As of February 2013, the Fund supports 248 MSMEs
and new start-ups in total. The breakdown by program is
as follows; 78 MSMEs receive grants for reemployment,
138 MSMEs use the loan with interest subsidy, and 32 new
organizations have started their operations with the grant for
new start-ups.
There have been remarkable advances made by those
businesses. They are not only rebuilding their own livelihood
but also contributing to the affected community. For example,
some new start-ups shed light on new historical or cultural
features in the local community and established tourism
businesses. Some MSMEs managed to open new branches
by employing new staff using the reemployment grant.
In October 2012, Mr. Ken Sato, one of the entrepreneurs
who received the start-up grant, was awarded the “International
Microfinance Award” for his unique social business called,
“Peach Jam”; an organic jam manufacturer which supports
affected mothers by providing them with employment and
childcare. “International Microfinance Award” is organized
by the PlaNet Finance Group with the aim of recognizing
outstanding entrepreneurs and Mr. Sato was selected as one of
the 5 awardees from around the world.
The Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstraction Projects5
1.Project period : November 2011 to November 2013
2.Donor : Mercy Corps, Nvidia
Partner : Kesennuma Shinkin Bank,
Shinkin Central Bank
3.Budget : USD 4,000,000
1.Project period : July 2011 to June 2012
2.Donor : La Foundation de France
Partner : iLink Inc, Japan Oyster Association, Rochefort Saintonge
Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SDV Japan K.K, MULOT SAS
3.Budget : 250,000 EUR
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1.Project period : March 2012 to February 2015
2.Donor : UNIQLO CO., LTD.
3.Budget : JPY 60,000,000 (JPY 20,000,000 per year)
1.Project period : November 2012 to December 2014
2.Donor : Mercy Corps, Japan-America Society of Oregon
Partner : Abukuma Shinkin Bank, Shinkin Central Bank
3.Budget : USD 200,000
1.Project period : September 2012 to December 2013
2.Donor : Mercy Corps, The Boeing Company
3.Budget : 250,000 USD
●UNIQLO Recovery Assistance Project
●Minami-Soma Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery
PlaNet Finance Japan was selected by UNIQLO CO.,
LTD, one of the largest apparel companies in Japan, as one of
the five partner NGOs of their project to support the revival of
the affected area. The project is called “The Uniqlo Recovery
Assistance Project” and provides assistance to NGOs that are
helping to promote self-reliance, job creation and economic
recovery in the affected region. The project continues for three
years starting from March 2012 and PlaNet Finance Japan will
receive JPY 60,000,000 in total for the management of the
“Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery”.
As of March 2013, 6 businesses (1 new star t-up, 4
grants for reemployment and 1 loan with interest subsidy) are
supported by the fund provided by UNIQLO.
“Minami-Soma Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery” was
established in November 2012 according to the framework of the
“Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery.” The Fund was
established by a USD 200,000 contribution from Japan-America
Society of Oregon (JASO) and Mercy Corps. JASO made the
contribution based on years of friendly relations between Oregon
and Minami-Soma, which are sister cities. The Fund consists of
the same three programs; ❶ grant for reemployment of MSMEs’
staff, ❷ grant for new business start-ups and ❸ a loan product
with reduced interest payment burden through the offereing of an
interest subsidy over a certain period.
In Minami-Soma the situation is complicated as many citizens
are still forced to live outside of the city due to radiation problem
caused by horrific nuclear accidents nearby. The Fund aims to
support those MSMEs and entrepreneurs who continue to strive for
recovery even under such circumstances.
●Facilitating employment of persons with disabilities in the affected region
PlaNet Finance Japan launched a project with a special focus
on increasing the self-reliance of persons with disabilities(PWDs) in
the affected region. The Boeing Company, an American multinational
aerospace and defence corporation, contributed USD 250,000 for
the project through Mercy Corps. Utilizing the framework of the
“Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery”, it consists of
three different programs as follows; ❶ a grant for MSMEs when
they employ PWDs, ❷ grants for new start-ups which are focused
on contributing to PWDs or for entrepreneurs who have disabilities,
❸ grants for MSMEs to improve the access of PWDs to their
businesses, such as setting up barrier-free facilities in a shop.
As of March 2013, 4 new start-ups have been supported
and 2 businesses are aiming to improve access for PWDs
through this project.
The Great East Japan Earthquake Reconstraction Projects
1.Project period : February 2013 to December 2014
2.Donor : Mercy Corps, Give2Asia
Partner : Miyako Shinkin Bank, Shinkin Central Bank
3.Budget : USD 600,000
5 - 3 Project Scheduled in 2013 ●Rikuchu Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery
The cities of Miyako and Kamaishi and their surrounding
coastal areas were severely affected by the 3.11 disaster,
similar to the Sanriku region where the “Sanriku Tomodachi
Fund for Economic Recovery” has been operating. PlaNet
Finance Japan sought ways to expand the area of support to
the region and decided to start a new project in the “Rikuchu”
area which includes Miyako, Kamaishi, Otsuki, Yamada,
Iwaizumi, Tanohata and Fudai. The fund, named the “Rikuchu
Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery”, was established
through a USD 600,000 contribution by Mercy Corps and a
US-based Non-profit Organization called “Give2Asia”. PlaNet
Finance Japan will manage the fund by collaborating with
Miyako Shinkin Bank and Shinkin Central Bank. The fund
aims to support the recovery of the MSMEs and emergence
of new business start-ups through the same three programs
as “Sanriku Tomodachi Fund for Economic Recovery.”
PlaNet Finance Japan309 Sengokuyama Annex
5-3-20 Toranomon Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001E-mail:[email protected]
www.planetfinance.or.jp