CGAP is an independent policy and research center dedicated to advancing financial access for the world’s poor. It is supported by over 31 development agencies and private foundations who share a common mission to alleviate poverty. CGAP provides market intelligence, promotes standards, develops innovative solutions and offers advisory services to governments, microfinance providers, donors, and investors.

Access to financial services is a fundamental tool for improving a familys well-being and productive capacity. Access to financial services empowers the poor by reducing their vulnerability, and offering them opportunities to improve their lives.

CGAP works toward a world in which poor people are considered valued clients of their countrys financial system. We aim to help build efficient and equitable local financial markets that serve all poor people with convenient and affordable financial services.

CGAP members have committed to a common strategy to realize this vision during CGAPs current phase (July 2008 June 2012). This strategy, representing the fourth strategic phase, entails equity and efficiency as core pillars. To carry out this strategy, CGAP works with stakeholders at all levels of the financial system: (1) retail financial institutions; (2) organizations that are part of the financial market infrastructure; (3) governments in developing countries; and (4) public and private funders.

CGAP provides a variety of services to these stakeholders: advising on legal and regulatory issues; researching, publishing, and disseminating good practices and standards; delivering tailored change-management support to funders who wish to improve their effectiveness; and developing and funding experimental initiatives that can make financial services accessible to more of the world’s poor. CGAP also serves as a convening platform for a broad range of stakeholders to interact and develop consensus on standards and guidelines for the microfinance industry.

CGAP is currently in its 16th year of operation. It was initially created in 1995 as a three-year program at the instigation of the World Bank, other major development institutions, and leading microfinance practitioners to build a sustainable microfinance industry. Following independent evaluations, it was renewed for a second, five-year phase in 1998, and was extended again twice in 2003 and 2008. CGAP is currently in its fourth five-year phase (2008-2012). An evaluation of CGAP Phase IV is planned for 2011 in order to assess performance slightly more than mid way through CGAP Phase IV.