A growing body of literature examines the causal impact of financial literacy on individual, household, and firm level outcomes. This paper unpacks the mechanism of impact by focusing on the first link in the causal chain. Specifically, it studies the … Read More
Publications
Barriers to Household Risk Management – Evidence from India
A study conducted by the Centre for Microfinance (CMF) in 5 districts of Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat looked deeper into identifying the reasons for the low take-up of rainfall insurance products using a statistically rigorous methodology (Randomized Controlled Trials – … Read More
A Civil Action: The Role of Indian Civil Society in the Climate Arena
In this report, the authors present an overview of the science of climate change and its impacts in South Asia, examine India‟s climate emissions profile and the range of impacts that may result from a changed climate, and discuss possible … Read More
Are there Cultural Determinants of Entrepreneurship?
This paper sheds light on the heterogeneity in the way that entrepreneurs from different communities conduct their business and the importance of community ties on the business dealings of entrepreneurs.
Impact of a Grace Period in Microfinance Loan Contracts
This policy note presents insights from a study that examines the impact of introducing flexibility into microfinance repayment schedules, specifically through adding a two-month grace period.
Microfinance and Social Capital
This brief presents preliminary insights from a study in peri-urban of Kolkata on the role of social capital in group lending models.
Equity Investment in Indian Microfinance: A Guide for Practitioners
In this paper, the authors document the recent rise in equity investment in Indian microfinance and describe the process of obtaining equity financing and working with investors in detail. The authors also briefly describe two new alternative methods of financing … Read More
India Pollution Map – A Backgrounder for Users
The Pollution Map developed at the Centre for Development Finance (CDF) endeavours to support more meaningful tracking of environmental change by creating a repository of pollution monitoring data to capture and disseminate information to civil society in asystematic and user-friendly … Read More
The REDD Path to Forest Conservation
Forest conservation through REDD projects can achieve a measure of success by giving ownership rights and economic incentives to indigenous communities. This brief examines the policy and implementation framework for such an approach, provides recommendations for the way forward.
Empowering Villages: A Comparative Analysis of Desi Power and Husk Power Systems
With nearly 70% of India’s population living in rural areas, many households still do not have access to affordable and reliable sources of electricity. This lack of access hampers households income generation capacity as well as their ability to use … Read More