CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

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CSD Celebrating its 33rd Anniversary Dedicating its Service for Creating Three Zero Societies

The Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) celebrated its 33rd anniversary on 12th August, 2024 (Shrawan 28, 2081) amidst a function in Kathmandu.
The program was chaired by the Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha and attended by 77 guests including the members of the CSD Board, representatives of the institutional and non-institutional members and other stakeholders of CSD.

Centenarian Dr. Gauri Shankar Lal Das, a renowned human rights activist and senior medical doctor, was the Chief Guest who inaugurated the program by lighting the traditional lamp ‘Panas’. He said, “When CSD was established in 2048 other institutions like Praud Kalyan Sangh, Purwa Karmichari Sewa Parishad and BP EYE Foundation (BP Netra Pratisthan)  were also established in the same year. These organizations have been contributing to the society from their own perspective. Similarly, the contribution of microfinance to the society cannot be ignored. Seeing the valuable contribution of a microfinance scholar, Noble laureate, Professor Yunus is currently heading the interim government of Bangladesh.” He also said that microfinance should also focus on poor and people of remote areas. 

Addressing the gathering, Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha said, “ I am happy to be present and share my few experiences in the 33rd Anniversary of CSD. In the meantime, speaking of microfinance organization, they should remain as a social organization and not focus on too much profit. After handing over its microfinance activities to then Swabalamban Laghubitta Bikas Bank Ltd (now Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd.) in 2012 the Centre has reshaped its strategy and has been prioritizing its activities for the capacity building and strengthening of microfinance institutions and microfinance cooperatives.” Speaking of Prof. Yunus, he said,” He is a unique personality who dedicated his entire life for the good of the people and betterment of mankind. In the time of great crises in Bangladesh, he was offered to help the Interim Government. MFIs need to push forward on concept of 3Zero as propounded by Prof. Yunus which focuses on zero poverty to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, zero unemployment through entrepreneurship development and zero net carbon emission through adopting climate friendly approaches. The 3 Zero approaches to handing issues in our world has been hailed as a New Civilization Landmark. CSD has been promoting Eco-villages, 3 Zero Clubs and other activities as part of this approach. Similarly, to develop a roadmap for the 12th point declaration formulated in the Fourth National Microfinance Members’ Summit, CSD organized a symposium for the CEOs and senior staff of MFIs and MFCs.

Talking on the clear-cut road map for implementing the 12 point declaration of the Forth National Microfinance Members’ Summit (4th NMMS), he said, “We have been able to establish more than 2000 3Zero Clubs in Nepal which is currently highest in the world. We have been promoting 3Zero Clubs through our MFIs and MFCs. Since 3Zero Clubs focus on youths, the microfinance institutions promoting such Clubs will also bring good relationship with their clients because their children, family members or their siblings are directly involved in such clubs. Similarly, 3Zero Clubs will also address pressing issues endemic in our society.” He thanked the chief guest for gracing the occasion on our request.  He also thanked MetLife Insurance for sponsoring the 4th NMMS as a major sponsor as well as all the guests present in the program for adhering to our invitation.

Proceeding Report of The Fourth National Microfinance Members’ Summit, which was held from February 17-18, 2024 (Falgun 5-6, 2080) in Kathmandu, was also launched during the program.

Earlier in the program, Mr. Mahendra Giri, Vice-Chairman of CSD and CEO of Sahara SACCOS, said that CSD after its establishment as a non-governmental organization (NGO) on 13th August 1991 (Shrawan 28, 2048) and worked in the field of community development with the formation of informal self-help groups as well as environment, agriculture and health programs in Jumla and later in Kalikot. The Centre also carried microfinance activities and established Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. Currently it has been involved in the implementation of eco-villages, 3Zero Clubs and establishment of incubation centers as part of youth entrepreneurship program. CSD has also been carrying out conference, symposiums, seminars and training programs for microfinance policymakers and practitioners and other relevant stakeholders. One of its landmark activities is organization of National Microfinance Members’ Summit which is held after every two years. The Centre has already organized a total of four such summits in the past. The first summit was organized in 2073 with the slogan “Entrepreneurship Development, Way for Poverty Alleviation”, similarly the second summit was organized in 2075 with the slogan “Clean Microfinance, Our Campaign”, in 2078 with the slogan “Let's Expand Enterprise to Each Household and Reduce Poverty to Zero” and the Fourth National Microfinance Members’ Summit was organized on Falgun 5 and 6 with the slogan “Clean Microfinance, Prosperous Member”.

Similarly, Mr. Mani Kumar Arjyal, former Board Member of CSD and Chairman of Nepal Rural Development Society Centre made remarks on the Proceeding Report of The Fourth National Microfinance Members’ Summit. He said that 12- point declaration was the core of the issues discussed by the delegates in the summit. The declaration unanimously decided to implement microfinance activities with the spirit of the slogan, “Clean Microfinance, Prosperous Members” such that it served the need and interest of the target group and reforming and upgrading the microfinance sector. He said that we should carry out follow up activities to monitor how the provisions and  activities mentioned  in the 12-point declarations have been implemented. He also recommended CSD to establish research centre to address relevant issues of microfinance, focus more on youths entrepreneurship program and conduct advocacy program for policy makers of microfinance.  Earlier, in the program Ms. Shova Bajracharya, Treasurer of Governing Board of CSD and CEO of Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., welcomed the participants and also spoke on the Swabalamban Banking Program, microfinance activities of CSD before handling over these activities to Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd.  She also spoke of Fourth National Microfinance Members’ Summit carried out with the slogan “Clean Microfinance, Prosperous Members” which concluded with the vow to end the distortions and deviations in microfinance.  The summit also advocated to focus on initiating campaign to uplift members and target groups, enhance the discipline and conduct of members as well as staff of MFIs, entrepreneurship development and facilitation to deprived women members for easy access to loans and savings.

It also focused on children of members of MFIs to become youth entrepreneurs, mobilization of youths for environmental friendly entrepreneurships, environment promotion which focus on eco-village development, technology friendly organization and making dormant members active.

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