The project

Please note: 1st principal repayment after 12 months instead of 6 months. However, the interest payments start after 6 months.

Espoir is an Ecuadorian NGO founded in 1992 and is dedicated to supporting female microentrepreneurs. Through group loans and educational sessions, these women, many of whom are heads of their households due to circumstances like single motherhood, find empowerment. These female entrepreneurs often operate in the informal sector and are easily overlooked by formal institutions. Espoir's approach stands out by offering more than just financial assistance. The MFI equips women with tools for consistent income and business growth. By investing, you support gender equality in Ecuador and extend group loans to 188 women.

See how Espoir's group lending transforms Ecuadorian women entrepreneurs and their communities across three generations.

What social return could your investment make?

With a rural poverty rate reaching 46% as of June 2023, Ecuador grapples with economic hardships and gender inequality. Espoir's group loans give female entrepreneurs financial support, a feeling of community, and the chance to learn and share experiences.

However, these loans are just one facet of Espoir's support. Every client with Espoir gets access to medical insurance that covers them and their families. By offering medical insurance, they create a safety net - which represents security and well-being for these women and their families. In 2022 alone, 45,423 educational sessions were organised, providing female entrepreneurs with essential knowledge and skills. During these sessions, small farmers, for example, learn how to grow more and better crops. Also, Espoir's programs strengthen clients' financial stability and ability to handle climate change, which improves their credit risk profiles. 

Espoir combats poverty and inequality, paving the way for a brighter and more resilient future for Ecuador's female entrepreneurs.
 

What financial return could your investment generate? 

• Annual interest rate 6%.
• The maturity of the loan is 24 months.
• Grace period: the first repayment of your investment will be made after 12 months. After that, there will be a repayment every 6 months.
• With an investment of 1,000 euros, your expected total repayment would be 1,090 euros.
• Please consider that although you invest in EUR, the loan is in USD, so there is a risk of exchange rate fluctuations between dollars and euros. For more information on potential exchange rate risks, please visit our currency page.

The story of Espoir

Ecuador's national poverty rate stood at 27% in June 2023, with 10.8% of the population living in extreme poverty. Espoir actively addresses this challenge. The microfinance institution provides 89,000 loans each year, contributing over $110 million to the economy. By June 2023, they supported 48,927 clients, mainly women who reside in marginalised urban and rural areas. Beyond just financial support, Espoir's mission is multifaceted: to boost economic growth, ensure social progress, and improve health, focusing on Ecuador's microentrepreneurs from underprivileged backgrounds. Stand with Espoir and be part of this transformative journey.
 

Espoir in numbers

• Founded in 1992
• 425 employees
• Active in 6 Ecuadorian provinces
• As of 2023, 48,927 clients are served, 72% women, with 75% residing in rural areas