CENTRE FOR SELF-HELP DEVELOPMENT

Institute of micro-finance and cooperative development.

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CSD Celebrates its 32nd Anniversary

The Centre for Self-help Development (CSD) which is the pioneer NGO in microfinance sector in Nepal celebrated its 32nd anniversary on 13th August, 2023 (Shrawan 28, 2080).

Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank, Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari was the Chief Guest who inaugurated the program by lighting the traditional lamp ‘Panas’.
The program was chaired by the Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha and attended by the members of the Board, representatives of the institutional and non-institutional members and other stakeholders of CSD.
Speaking on the occasion Chief Guest Mr. Maha Prasad Adhikari, Governor of Nepal Rastra Bank,  expressed his hearty congratulations to CSD for completing its 32nd years of services towards the deprived and disadvantage section of the population and lately working as the network of MFIs and Microfinance Cooperatives. He said, “For the past 32 years CSD has been working at the grassroots level to uplift the lives of the poor by understanding the actual problems of the poor and implementing programs to raise their economic condition.”
Mr. Adhikari further said, "CSD's focus on capacity building of entrepreneurs, motivation of entrepreneurs  by giving them awards should continue in the coming days. There are 3-4 million entrepreneurs who have taken loan from MFIs. Due to overlapping the actual entrepreneurs taking loan  could be only 2-5 million. MFIs focus on  entrepreneurship and ultra-poor has been undermined. Having said that MFIs contribution for financial access and financial inclusion is impressive. Licensed MFIs should be brought in right track. Financial resource in small quantity from other FIs is difficult so NRB has built MFIs and MFCs based on Grameen Model”
Addressing the gathering, Chairman of CSD, Mr. Shankar Man Shrestha said, “CSD has not taken grants from any organization. It has been promoting MFIs and focusing on entrepreneurship development. Muhammad Yunus's focus on 3 Zero Club tackles  issues prevalent in our world that needs urgent intervention. One of them is widening gap between rich and poor. MFI's focus on poor has been deviated but CSD has been contributing from its side by focusing on programs and activities to minimize the gap. Another issue is youth exodus. We would stop this problem by focusing on youth entrepreneurship. Children of clients of MFIs are frustrated and want to go to foreign country. CSD in partnership with MFIs has been carrying out activities targeting children of members of MFIs  who have completed 10+2. Bangladesh has been implementing NOBIN program which is based on similar concept. Another issue is carbon emission. We have focused on eco-village development in collaboration with CRT which focuses on entrepreneurship development while promoting environmental friendly technologies. Bangladesh has also focused on Beggar where it has provided small loans to beggars and motivated them to initiate small enterprise.  ” He further added,  " Self-help Banking is based on the concept that a small loan of about Rs. 200 that can bring major socio-economic change in the lives of poor. Lately this concept has been tarnished by MFIs. If we do not deviate from the principle and norms of microfinance, it can be a  power house that can bring socio-economic transformation in the lives of poor."On the occasion Utkristha Laghuudhami Sadashya Puraskar 2079/80 was awarded to Ms. Babita Marlmlung from Chulachuli-4, Siddhartha Tole of Illam who is the member of Swabalamban Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd., Ms. Phool Kumari Tharu from Gulariya-12, Bhaisahi of Bardiya who is the member of Unique Nepal Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd, and Ms. Prem Kumari Woli from Rapti Sonari -1, Kusum of Banke wh o is a member of Upakar Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. The Utkristha Laghuudhami Sadashya Puraksar is awarded to members of MFIs who have taken loan from a single MFI and brought outstanding socio-economic transformation in their life through improvement and expansion of their microenterprises. Similarly, Laghuudhamsilita Bikas Puraskar 2078/79 was awarded to Sahara Nepal SACCOS for their outstanding contribution in grooming, developing and promotion of entrepreneurs in their MFIs. Shankar Man Shrestha Laghubitta Puraskar 2078/79 was awarded to Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd. The award is provided to any individual or institution that adheres to the norms, principles and values of microfinance and acts as a role model in carrying out activities for its sustainable growth and development as well as in brining socio-economic progress to its members.  Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd and Ms. Ranjana Niraula, Senior Officer of Jeevan Bikas Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd were given letter of appreciation for their contribution in promoting 3 Zero Club. Ms. Niraula  has been involved in the formation of more than 100 Three Zero Clubs across the country. Manushi Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd was also given a letter of appreciation for its effort in the initiation and promotion of Self-help Eco-village Development Program in Dharpa-3, Barhabise Municipality. Nepal Mahila Samudayik Sewa Kendra  Ltd was given a letter of appreciation for its effort in marketing of products of local entrepreneurs. Former Board Members of CSD were also given letter of appreciation for their invaluable contribution in discharging their duty during their tenure as Board Members.
Earlier Mr. Mahendra Giri, Vice-chairman of CSD welcomed all the delegates and  guests present in the program. He said, " CSD is now a network of microfinance institutions and microfinance cooperatives advocating for the growth and development of microfinance as well as reminding and encouraging the microfinance institutions and microfinance cooperatives to follow the principle, norms and ethics of microfinance from its earlier focus on directly practicing microfinance as well as involving in community mobilization process with intervention in thematic areas such as environment protection, infrastructure development, healthcare management, renewable energy promotion and so on.
Dr. Sumitra Manandhar Gurung, Board Member of CSD, added, " CSD had been involved in community mobilization program in Jumla districts in partnership with CECI. In those days the people of Jumla would cultivate millets and did not grow vegetables. CSD introduced  vegetable farming in Jumla. Carrot cultivation was a success in Jumla. Carrot seeds cultivated in Jumla was sold to different parts of the country as well as exported to foreign countries. CECI introduced community mobilization process in other countries, like Garhwal, India, based on lesson learned from Jumla. "
Mr. Dambar Bahadur Shah, General Manager of Kisah Bahuudeshiya Sahakari Sanstha Ltd. said that financial institutions should focus on transforming their clients into entrepreneurs.

Mr. Hari Bahadur Rajbanshi, Chairman of Sahara SACCOs and Mr. Ram Chandra Joshi, Chairman of Chhimek Laghubitta Bittiya Sanstha Ltd spoke on the contribution made by CSD in the field of entrepreneurship development, youth employment as well as reminding the MFIs and MFCs to follow the principle and norms of MFIs. Mr. Rajbanshi and Mr. Joshi thanked CSD for awarding their respective organization for their contribution promoting entrepreneurship and adheres to the norms, principles and values of microfinance and acts as a role model in carrying out activities for its sustainable growth and development as well as in brining socio-economic progress to its members respectively. Mr. Joshi further said that NRB should not be harsh on saving collection as saving is necessary for asset accumulation of members and we should lobby NRB so that they do not over-regulate saving collection practice of MFIs.

The program was attended by the founder members of CSD along with individual members, representatives of institutional members and other dignitaries of different organizations.

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