Background

The Institute for Inclusive Finance and Development (InM) is functioning since 1 January 2016 (previously known as Institute of Microfinance) as a non-profit organisation established primarily to meet the research and training needs of national as well as global financial sector including microfinance institutions (MFIs). Its predecessor, Institute of Microfinance, was established at the initiative of the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF) on 1 November 2006. The InM is registered as an independent non-profit institution under the Societies Registration Act 1860. The Institute works for developing the overall capacity of the financial sector and strengthening the links between the financial and real sectors through undertaking research, training, education, knowledge management and other programmes in priority areas including microfinance, inclusive finance, poverty and development.

VISION

Towards establishing a poverty free world, InM sees itself as a frontline centre of excellence in research, training, education and knowledge management.

MISSION

InM undertakes capacity building and knowledge generating activities for the financial (including microfinance) sector, organises training and academic programmes for human development, conducts research and undertakes dissemination of new knowledge and technology, and implements activities for the benefit of the sector. The aim is to emerge as a knowledge centre in inclusive finance, poverty, enterprise development, and other key areas. InM works at both national and international levels through building networks with financial institutions, development practitioners, academicians and researchers for collaboration and exchange of ideas and experiences.

OBJECTIVES

The Institute has the following key objectives:

• To conduct research on inclusive finance and development along with their interactions with the real economy, poverty, inequality, vulnerability and other key socioeconomic dimensions.
• To initiate, undertake and promote research and action research activities directed towards the expansion, integration and consolidation of different components of the financial sector to deepen the linkages between the real and financial sectors.
• To undertake joint collaborative activities with national and international agencies, research and professional institutions and universities including livelihood promotion, environment and climate change, inclusive finance and priority development issues.
• To use research results and lessons of national and cross-country experiences and prepare research/policy notes and reports to help policymakers and practitioners of the financial sector and assist in setting standards, preparing best-practice examples, formulating policy documents and preparing guidelines.
• To develop and undertake training and capacity development programmes for appropriate finance and microfinance professionals and practitioners from home and abroad.
• To maintain information warehouse and develop database using primary surveys and secondary sources on national and global microfinance and financial sector issues including financial inclusion.
• To provide certificate, diploma and post-graduate to meet the needs of qualified and professionally trained people in the financial sector especially through blending theoretical knowledge with practical training who would be equipped to face the challenges of dominant transformations of the financial sector.
• To work towards building InM as a dynamic, forward looking and a self sustaining institution in the arena of knowledge management and capacity building of the financial sector.

MAJOR SERVICES

The major services that lnM provides are research on poverty, microfinance, enterprise development, impact assessment and evaluation of microfinance programmes. InM also provides microfinance related training, education, capacity building support and knowledge management services to microfinance institutions and other development organisations. InM also provide education support Diploma in Microfinance.

LEGAL ENTITY

InM is registered as an independent non-profit research and training institute under the Societies Registration Act 1860.