Micro-finance

Since 2012, we have been developing, testing and fine-tuning an innovative micro-finance model. The model reaches those in the LGBTI community who live in poverty and destitution. 

The model enables LGBTI people to access credit to start a small business. Without  MRIF, many LGBTI people would not be able to access credit because of their history of family rejection, isolation, poverty and discrimination in education and employment. This history makes LGBTI people unattractive clients to financial institutions and they remain financially excluded.

In many countries, LGBTI people are financially excluded because:

• they do not have a guarantor – which is usually a family member or friend, but LGBTI people have been rejected by these people and become extremely isolated;
• they already have too many debts – because of the rejection they have faced, LGBTI people borrow money from street lenders to survive
• they do not have any guarantee – leaving home and schooling at a young age means that LGBTI people cannot accumulate any assets (e.g. a motorbike, or a piece of land) to offer as a guarantee.

Without us, many LGBTI people would not be able to access the credit they need to set up an income generating activity to step out of poverty.

In partnership with local organisations, MRIF can:

• facilitate micro-credit to impoverished LGBTI people in Cambodia
• facilitate start-up capital to LGBTI refugees in the UK

MRIF’s micro-finance model can be adapted and replicated in other countries. It is a model that not only improves peoples’ lives, but it also contributes to strengthening LGBTI rights.