Access to affordable financial services can be limited for people in rural and underserved communities. CIPAD works with community groups to build practical financial management and savings mechanisms that enable members to mobilize their own resources and access opportunities for investment.

Through its community financial inclusion work, CIPAD trains groups in table banking, group management, savings, investment, and financial planning.

Turning small savings into collective opportunity

Table banking enables community members to pool their savings and access funds within their groups. CIPAD supports groups to establish sound management practices, strengthen their capacity to save and invest, and explore opportunities to grow their collective financial resources.

The training covers areas such as:

• Table banking and savings management
• Community group management
• Financial planning
• Group investment
• Leadership and accountability
• Access to financial services
• Linkages with financial institutions

CIPAD also works with financial institutions to connect community groups to appropriate financial services and opportunities.

Building stronger community institutions

To date, CIPAD has trained more than 5,000 people on table banking, with over 100 community groups actively engaged in table banking.

The initiative is helping communities move from individual financial vulnerability towards collective savings, investment, financial discipline and greater economic self-reliance.

 From savings to opportunity

CIPAD sees community savings groups not simply as financial mechanisms, but as platforms through which people can build confidence, strengthen social networks, mobilize resources and invest in their futures.