Espoir 23
Espoir is best known for its group loans to women entrepreneurs. Does the organisation only lend to women in Ecuador?
The project
Fundación Espoir provides loans to both women and men entrepreneurs in Ecuador. Although women are its main target group, men can also access financing through the organisation.
Espoir aims to promote financial inclusion and help low-income entrepreneurs grow their businesses. Men can also face barriers to accessing traditional bank loans. Microfinance gives them the opportunity to invest in their businesses and work towards a more stable income for themselves and their families.
Jorge from Daule, Ecuador, is one such entrepreneur. He has been running a shop selling party supplies, soft drinks and snacks for around ten years. When he needed capital to grow his business, he turned to Espoir. With his first loan, he purchased more stock and expanded his product range. This enabled him to further develop his business and build greater financial stability.
Will you contribute to greater financial independence for women and men entrepreneurs on low incomes in Ecuador?
- Annual interest rate: 6.5%
- With an investment of €1,000, the expected total repayment is approximately €1,065
- Maturity: 18 months
- Repayments: Every 6 months. You will receive a repayment, including interest, every 6 months. Meaning there will be 3 repayments in total.
Currency: Dollar. Please note that although you invest in euros, the loan is in dollars, so there is a risk of exchange rate fluctuations between dollars and euros. Visit our page on exchange rate risks for more information.
Espoir
Impact
In Ecuador, where Espoir operates, access to financing is a lifeline, especially in rural areas, where poverty affects nearly half the population and extreme poverty is alarmingly high. While financial hardship exists nationwide, rural entrepreneurs face even greater barriers to securing capital. Women, who make up the majority of Espoir’s borrowers, often have the hardest time accessing resources to grow their businesses. That’s why Espoir goes beyond microcredit, combining financial support with business education and health services across six provinces. By equipping low-income entrepreneurs with the tools they need to succeed, Espoir fosters long-term economic resilience and stronger communities.
- Percentage of female borrowers: 72%
- 94% of Espoir's borrowers say their quality of life improved in at least one way. Source: Survey conducted by 60dB.
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