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EnComun - Micro-Credit

EnComun is promoting economic well-being and empowering the working poor, especially women, in the northern border cities of Mexico.

Small loans and business support are provided to "the poorest of the poor" to enable them to start sustainable businesses and escape poverty. EnComún offers accessible credit to sectors of the population that would not otherwise be able to obtain credit at a reasonable rate of interest.

EnComún is a not-for-profit microfinance institution currently operating in Nogales, México.

Borrower at her store	Borrower making clothing
Borrower preparing sweats from squash	Borrowing group
Borrower making boots	Staff

EnComún gives small loans (US$100-$600) to individuals in poor communities on northern border cities in Mexico to help them start and/or grow their business. Amounts can increase with good payment records. The loans are given in 4 month cycles; hence, every 4 months the loans must be paid back.

The people receiving the loans must form groups of 10-15 people. Their only collateral is solitarity within the group. Everyone in a group must pay their loan or no one in the group receives another loan.

Loan payment installments are made every two weeks. Participants are required to save 10% of their loan amount, which is given to them at the end of each cycle.

EnComún provides basic business classes, business support and health-care resources, to help the participants succeed.

One day our grandchildren will go to museums to see what poverty was like."
- Muhammad Yunus

Financial Freedom Associates

EnComun - Micro-Credit