Social Performance Indicators

The Social Performance Task Force (the Task Force) has created a standardized set of social performance indicators which were distributed in English, French, and Spanish versions in early 2009 to the more than 1,300 microfinance institutions (MFIs) that report to the Microfinance Information Exchange (MIX). An initial set of indicators was piloted the spring before to a test set of approximately 100 MFIs whose feedback resulted in the criteria selected for the final product. The criteria for the indicators were: 

• Each indicator had to be relevant
• Each indicator had to be easy for the MFI to obtain
• Each indicator had to be easy to verify
• Each indicator had to be one that an MFI would be willing to have published

 

The indicators cover subjects ranging from poverty measurement to impact on client well-being, costs of services, and institutional internal processes and how those align with mission.  

The uptake of the indicators among the MIX MFIs has been brisk. Dozens of completed reports were returned less than two weeks after distribution, with more arriving steadily accompanied by thoughtful comments and suggestions. 

The Task Force will evaluate responses and continue refinements to the indicators at its meeting in Madrid in June 2009.

Social Performance Indicators Report:

• English--Social Performance Report.xls
• Spanish--Informe Desempeño Social.xls
• French--Rapport de Performance Sociale.xls
• Arabic--_____ ______ ______ _________.xls

The Double Bottom Line: Evaluating Social Performance in Microfinance--MBB 17 Autumn 2008.pdf


Social Performance Reporting Award
The Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Ford Foundation, and CGAP, launched the first Social Performance Reporting Award on June 2nd at the annual Social Performance Task Force meeting. The award, powered by the MIX is designed to promote greater transparency in MFIs’ social performance. The Award recognizes transparency in social performance reporting, not social performance achievements. Click here to read more.