The Senegal Ecovillage
Microfinance Fund

SEM’s microfinance operates on the premise that for true sustainable development to happen people from vulnerable circumstances need a way to take charge of their own livelihoods. This is the reason why SEM focuses its micro-loans to the most disenfranchised segment of the population in rural communities first and foremost but also in peri-urban and urban areas. Our primary beneficiaries are women and youth in rural Senegal. To efficiently advance our mission we work closely with other organizations whose mission is to promote ecovillages in Senegal. Conventional microcredit can have an adverse effect on the communities and what beneficiaries undertake can have a negative impact on the environment. The field of microfinance is plagued with irregularities and controversy, which is pushing people to wonder if microfinance has not lost its place. Our mission is to make microcredit an efficient strategy for job creation, which in return will help people get out poverty.