The Budget Ecoist- Eco Living on a Budget

What: Kiva lets you connect with and loan money to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. By choosing a loan on Kiva, you can “sponsor a business” and help the world’s working poor make great strides towards economic independence. Throughout the course of the loan (usually 6-12 months), you can receive email journal updates from the entrepreneur you’ve sponsored. As loans are repaid, you get your loan money back.

The Lowdown: Kiva partners with existing microfinance institutions. In doing so, they gain access to outstanding entrepreneurs from impoverished communities world-wide. Their partners are experts in choosing qualified entrepreneurs. That said, they are usually short on funds. Through Kiva, their partners upload their entrepreneur profiles directly to the site so you can lend to them.

Kiva provides data-rich, transparent lending platforms for the poor.They are constantly working to make the system more transparent to show how money flows throughout the entire cycle. The below diagram shows briefly how money gets from you to a third-world entrepreneur, and back!

Learn More: Go to Kiva.org to learn about the program.  You can lend as little as $25.  When was the last time you had $25 make a world of difference? To learn more or spread the word, print out this brochure. 

Images courtesy of Kiva.org