JIMF is currently (since February 2009) running a pilot scheme for its Micro-finance programme involving 10 Charedi women and 10 Arab  women all from Jerusalem seeking to build or to expand small businesses. In cooperation with two leading training service providers, the Jerusalem Business Development Centre (MATI) and the Freelance Group, JIMF has designed a programme to maximise the chances of success of these participants.

The programme comprises:

a.Group training sessions (32hrs over two months) covering the essentials of business development and allowing participants to discuss their individual experiences, dreams and challenges with their trainer and with each other.

b.Pre-loan personal mentoring (5hrs) aiming to help each participant with practical issues for launching or expanding her business.

c.Preparing a business plan in cooperation with professional consultants.

d. Business loans for qualifying  participants from each group (averaging around US$5,OOO), depending on the strength of the business plan, the integration of the project in the community through guarantors, and the lack of alternative financing options.

e.Post-loan personal mentoring (at least 6hrs) to help overcome inevitable hurdles during the vital early stages of business development.

Planned or existing businesses in the pilot include nurseries, graphic design, clothing, educational workshops, pastries, jewelry, therapy.

The success of the pilot (from which lessons will be learnt for subsequent programmes) will be judged by the continued enthusiastic participation of the trainees, the credibility of the emergent business plans, repayment of loans (including training loans to cover the cost of the training), and the employment, revenue, sustainability and profitability of the businesses.
 

For more details on the pilot please use the Contact Us page or click here.