An international movement of university students and professionals building economic opportunities in the developing world. The largest student-led movement for economic development.
What We Do:
Strengthen Community-Owned Banks:
On the brigade we provide capacity buildingworkshops to the leaders of the community banks to increase membership, improve operations, and identify lower risk borrowers.
On the brigade we help add member accounts and ensure high repayment rates on loans.
Teach Financial Literacy:
On the brigade we conduct workshops on financial planning to members of the community bank.
On the brigade we increase financial literacy around a culture of savings and prudent borrowing.
Businesses that are seeking capital can work with volunteers to develop a payment plan and decide if it's beneficial to take a loan.
Consult Small Businesses:
On the brigade we utilize business consulting frameworks to identify opportunities for increased income and resolve financial challenges of small rural businesses.
On the brigade we help small businesses decide on the feasibility of utilizing low-interest loans or creating a savings strategy to reach their economic goals.
Provide Capital for Loans:
For each brigade we will raise a minimum of $1,500 that is directly invested to capitalize the community bank.
These funds are used for matching savings accounts and low-interest loans.
The goal is to ensure access to capital for new businesses, access to higher education, and other community projects.