Social Performance Glossary

Publication Date: Oct 2006
Published by: Small Enterprise Education and Promotion (SEEP) Network
Document Type: Conference Report (PDF)

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This glossary defines key terms, concepts and best practice principles in social performance of microfinance institutions.

This glossary defines key terms, concepts and best practice principles in the social performance of microfinance institutions.

The ‘Social Performance Glossary’:

• Includes terms and definitions necessary to understand:
  • The social performance of microfinance institutions;
  • Microfinance, financial institutions, and institutional performance in general.
• Aims to:
  • Facilitate common understanding of key terms and concepts in microfinance and social performance among industry stakeholders;
  • Enable stakeholders to act more productively and collaboratively to achieve high levels of social performance, both on an institution-by-institution basis and in the industry as a whole.

The glossary:

• Is intended for key stakeholders in the microfinance industry, such as microfinance practitioners and practitioner organizations, donors, social investors, rating agencies and policy makers;
• Will also be useful to people and organizations outside microfinance, including those in other development fields and anyone with an interest in social performance;
• Defines terms generally rather than solely in the narrow context of microfinance;
• Aims to catalyze interest, agreement, action, collaboration and progress in social performance in microfinance and the wider development community.

The terms and definitions in the glossary are listed alphabetically. They are also listed by category at the back of the glossary.