FACES 20
An increasing number of women in Ecuador are participating in the labor market, yet the gap with men remains wide. Many still work in insecure jobs without a steady income. The ProMujer loan from FACES gives them the opportunity to grow their businesses, increase their income, and achieve greater financial independence.
The project
Since 1990, more women in Ecuador have entered paid employment, yet the gap between men and women remains wide. In 2024, 52.4% of women had paid jobs, compared to 76.6% of men. Many women still work in insecure conditions without contracts, steady income, or access to social protection.
FACES Microfinanzas is an Ecuadorian NGO that supports entrepreneurs in vulnerable conditions. The organization provides microloans and personal guidance, helping clients gradually build a stable income and stronger future prospects. More than half of its clients (52%) are women.
Through FACES’s ProMujer loan, women in Ecuador have the chance to grow their businesses. The loan is specifically designed for women who would otherwise be excluded from traditional financing. With it, they can expand their income sources and invest in financial independence and a better future.
Digna is one of these women. With her ProMujer loan, she invested in her clothing shop, purchasing more inventory, expanding her selection, and increasing her earnings. Today, more than 13,000 women like Digna benefit from the ProMujer credit.
Will you give entrepreneurs like Digna the opportunity to achieve financial security?
FACES on Lendahand
- Active on Lendahand since: April 2022
- Total funds raised: €3,019,026
- Amount repaid: €1,255,566
- Interest paid: €83,632
- On-time repayments: 16 out of 16 (100%)
Your investment
- Annual interest rate: 7%
- For an investment of €1,000, the expected total repayment is €1,079.
- Maturity: 24 months
- Repayments: Quarterly. You will receive a repayment of your investment plus interest every three months, for a total of eight repayments.
- Currency: dollar. Please note that while you invest in euros, the loan is in dollars, which means there is a risk of currency fluctuations between the two. Visit our page on currency risks for more details.
FACES
Impact
Ecuador faces serious economic challenges: 27% of the population lives in poverty, rising to 46% in rural areas. In 2023, the unemployment rate stood at 3.7%, with many people working in the informal sector without stable incomes or social security. Only 51% of the population has access to formal financial services.
FACES addresses these challenges by offering microloans and training to small entrepreneurs who lack access to traditional banking. Through training in financial management, business operations, and practical skills such as agricultural techniques, they help entrepreneurs stabilize their incomes and reduce poverty. By focusing on vulnerable groups, including women (52% of their borrowers), FACES directly contributes to improving living standards and strengthening Ecuador’s economic resilience.
Related blog posts
- There’s more to learn about FACES as a new investment opportunity in their introduction.
- Did you know female entrepreneurs are essential for a powerful economy?
- Investor and guest blogger Marlous wrote an introduction for you to learn more about gender lens investing.
- Want to learn more about how financial inclusion can thrive entrepreneurship? Read here.
- Have a look at the many other microfinance institutions in our portfolio.
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