The project

Please note the grace period: the first repayment of your investment will be made after 12 months, after that, there will be a repayment every 6 months. 

Thirty years ago, Laura received her first small loan to start her fruit and vegetable stall. Today, her stall is a fundamental and well-known part of the 'Gran Colombia' market in Ecuador. With financial support from the microfinance institution FACES, Laura has been able to expand her assortment significantly. Customers can choose from more than 40 different types of vegetables and fruit, which helps her better meet the growing demand for healthy, affordable products. This expansion also supports the employment of local farmers in Ecuador and Peru, who are crucial for supplying her stall.

What social return could your investment generate? 

FACES supports entrepreneurs from rural and economically less developed areas through microfinancing. As much as 54% of their clients are women. FACES bridges the gender gap and economic barriers for women by offering financial support and practical business advice. In this way, they promote local employment and help improve the standard of living in the region, which strengthens the local economy. Investing in FACES means investing in gender equality and building a fairer society where female entrepreneurs contribute to economic growth.

What financial return could your investment generate? 

• Annual interest of 6%. 
• The maturity of the loan is 24 months. 
• Grace period: you will receive the first repayment of your investment in the 12th month, after which repayment will occur every 6 months until the maturity of 24 months is reached.
• With an investment of 1,000 euros, the expected total repayment is 1,090 euros. 
• Please note 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, see our currency page.

The story of FACES

FACES, the acronym for Fundación de Apoyo Comunitario y Social del Ecuador, is an NGO that has been providing microcredits to small entrepreneurs in Ecuador since 1991 to promote social and economic development. FACES helps entrepreneurs with drafting business plans, financial management, marketing strategies, and operational skills. Through these workshops, FACES provides entrepreneurs with the essential knowledge and tools they need to expand their businesses successfully.

FACES in numbers

• Founded in 1991
• 55% of FACES's client profile is in rural areas
• 54% of their lenders are female entrepreneurs
• Loans are paid out within 24-48 hours after gathering business information
• In Ecuador, more than 900,000 micro and small enterprises create 60% of all jobs.