Non-Financial Services
These activities are carried out to enhance the efficiency of CDF’s service delivery as well as that of its potential clients as a prelude to extension of financial services to the client. The services includes: Clients Training; Advisory Services/Advocacy; Research and Development; Business Development Service.
1. Clients Training:
For non-generic issues, specific trainings are conducted specifically for an institution based on its identified needs. Some of the trainings that have been conducted included Basic Accounting and Book Keeping, project management, Livestock management, Credit and Financial Management, Organizational Development and Management; Community Development; Strategic planning, Business Development & leadership training, marketing of financial Service; participatory monitoring and evaluation & Customer relationship. Etc.
The generic training programs include Basic Accounting and Book-keeping, Business and Strategic Planning, Credit Management, Information and Communication, Peoples Management, Programme Management, Financial Management, Organizational Development and Management, Financial Management for Non-Financial Managers as well as the HIV/AIDS Mainstreaming.
The objectives of these courses are to upgrade the skills of group leaders on how to manage groups better as well as equip them with skills to manage their finances and credit schemes.
2. Advisory Services:
This is usually provided for potential and active clients of Foundation on an on-going basis. For active clients, it is directed at correcting observed lapses in their operations that may occur from time to time. For potential clients, it is to ensure that appropriate structures and systems are put in place, prior to receiving CDF assistance. Through this scheme, micro-credit organizations can draw continuously from the technical skills and resources available in the Foundation.
3. Research and Development
Community Development Foundation undertakes research studies in micro-credit financing and alternative development finance strategies that link the formal and informal financial sectors. The Foundation has been involved in researches covering credit activities of Rural Financial Intermediaries in Nigeria and the Traveling Banker as sources of extending the Foundation’s credit assistance. Based on study of traveling banker’s activities in Nigeria, the Foundation is facilitating and supporting the formation of a National Association of Traveling Bankers through which the Foundation can render assistance to local entrepreneurs.
4. Business Development Service: The Business Development Service provides direct support required to build up the capacities of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, Microfinance Institutions, Rural Financial Institutions, and other informal groups that provide direct services to economically active poor in Nigeria. The department has a mission to become a leading and profitable consulting firm in the development sector in Nigeria. Our Foundation has been involved in organizational assessment and development of institutions and business plan development.
