CSR360

Introduction to the Partner

As the lead apex institution of the country wholesaling funds and technical support to civil society organizations, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) represents an innovative model of public-private partnership. Incorporated as a not for profit, limited by guaranteed company under Companies Ordinance 1984, PPAF operations are regulated by Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.

PPAF is sponsored by the Government of Pakistan as a private sector entity. It is financed by leading multilateral, bilateral and international corporate institutions and had a cumulative resource base of over US$ 1 billion by the end of 2008. As a special purpose vehicle for community driven development, PPAF aims to focus on poor and disadvantaged rural and urban communities across Pakistan, with specific emphasis on gender and empowerment. Benefits accrue directly to the vulnerable through a diverse range of products and services.

Distinguishing Features

• An indigenous independent private sector institution with resource backed capability for providing financial and non-financial services on a long-term basis.
• A model public/private sector partnership with the role of government as an enabling facilitator, and predominant role of private sector for policy, strategy, and management.
• A dedicated market developer committed to emergence of professional and sustainable civil society organizations.
• Empower the poor and increase their incomes and expand their asset base, especially women
• Provide loans to partner organizations and assist them in expanding their poverty targeted micro-credit/micro entreprise programs
• Provide grants on a cost-sharing basis for development of small scale community physical infrastructure, health, education
• Enable accessibility of disadvantaged communities to resources and services through comprehensive training, skill development, and empowerment related activities
• Strengthen institutional capacity of partner organizations and support them in their work with communities

Partnership Criteria

• Have well-targeted community outreach programs
• Enhance economic welfare and quality of life of the poor and disadvantaged
• Support and nurture community involvement
• Build sustainability and make tangible efforts to secure the future
• Are decentralized and follow democratic decision making norms, and are transparent in financial disclosure and governance mechanisms.

Fact File

• 74 Partner Organizations across the country
• Financing deployed in 119 districts, and almost 35,700 villages and settlements
• A grassroots network of 110,000 Community Organizations & groups
• 13.8 million impacted by credit and 9.5 million by infrastructure, health and education
• 2.3 million microcredit loans with a 100% recovery rate and market share of the microfinance sector
• Over 16,000 health, education, water and infrastructure projects completed
• 7,700 skill development and managerial training events for 279,000 individuals
• Housing grants to 120,000 households and 108,000 individuals trained in seismic construction techniques in earthquake affected areas
• PPAF Water Management Center established with state of the art, Geographical Information System (GIS) facilities