MIX SP Indicators
MIX Social Performance Indicators and the Companion Resource Guide
INDICATORS
Since 2005, the global, industry-wide Social Performance Task Force (SPTF) has focused on developing ways to measure social performance in microfinance. One of the achievements of this initiative has been the creation of social performance indicators to assess how an MFI aligns its systems to its mission and how it uses social performance information to reach its social goals.
MIX started to collect information on social performance in 2008 with a pilot set of 22 social performance indicator categories. Over 400 MFIs reported on these indicators in 2009 and 2010. In the spring of 2011, the Social Performance Indicators Working Group of the SPTF completed a process to refine the indicators to increase their relevance to the industry and make them easier to report.
There are now 11 social performance indicator categories in MIX's Social Performance Standards Report (download Excel file linked at the bottom left of this page to see the report):
- Mission specifics
- Governance
- Range of products and services (financial and non-financial)
- Client outreach by lending methodologies
- Measuring client retention
- Social responsibility to clients
- Transparency of the costs of services to clients
- Human resources and staff incentives
- Employment creation and enterprises financed
- Social responsibility to the environment
- Poverty outreach
In addition, the Working Group selected new indicators to be included in a survey for MFIs to report on. These new indicators are capturing new data points particularly relevant to consumer protection and human resources (e.g., report EIR/APR, hours of training per staff working on microfinance).
An MFI can provide any additional information related to the indicators in the column for comments that is included in the reporting structure. Additionally, the report has a glossary that provides clear definitions of all the terms and concepts that it references. SPTF has created a companion resources document as well, which provides reference tools and best practice examples for each indicator.
Beginning in 2011, every MFI that reports to the MIX will be asked to report on these indicators.
To read social performance data analysis of the MFIs who have reported to MIX in the past two years, click here.
To learn how to qualify for the Social Performance Reporting Award, click here.
For any questions, please e-mail MIX’s Social Performance Manager, Micol Pistelli @
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COMPANION RESOURCE GUIDE
The Companion Resource Guide to MIX Market's Social Performance Standards Report is an excellent resource for an organization to begin seeing what it is or is not doing in the field of social performance. The resource guide is organized around the 11 categories of social performance indicator data collected by MIX (see above). In each section, the guide briefly describes key related tools and resources, as well as case studies that provide examples of current practice in the area under review.
Click here to download the Companion Resource Guide.
Social Performance Reporting Award
Recognizing Microfinance Practitioners for Outstanding Social Performance Practices
As the microfinance industry evolves, so too does its understanding of its own goals and practices. Over the past few years, the industry has come to recognize that sound financial performance is not sufficient to ensure the achievement of microfinance’s social objectives. Social performance management — the process of ensuring that an MFI acts in a socially responsible manner — has emerged as a crucial factor in addressing this issue.
To recognize those MFIs committed to transparent social performance monitoring and management, MIX, along with CGAP, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, and the Ford Foundation, initiated an award program in 2009 aimed at promoting social performance reporting. In 2010, MIX distributed 29 Gold Awards and 82 Silver Awards to MFIs for their level of disclosure, comprising roughly 31% of all MFIs reporting social performance information to MIX. Twelve networks also received awards for achieving a target of 50% or more of their members reporting social performance data.
In our third year of social performance data collection, MIX and the rest of the awards committee has decided to strengthen the award criteria. In addition to rewarding MFIs on the basis of transparency, this year the award will recognize good practices in social performance management as well. Furthermore, the award committee is excited to announce a brand new level of award: Platinum.
The requirements to receive the various levels of the Social Performance Reporting Awards are as follows:
Silver Award:
- Complete the social performance questionnaire found in the MIX Online Profile Editor
- Submit proper documentation to MIX proving the existence of reported social performance policies
- Report poverty measurement data to MIX
Gold Award:
In addition to completing the requirements of the Silver Award, MFIs must:
- Have a social rating from 2008 or later
- Show social change related to their mission
- Show high levels of client retention based on their respective market
Platinum Award:
In addition to completing the requirements of the Silver and Gold Awards, MFIs must:
- Fill out an additional survey assessing new indicators (MIX will send this survey to all MFIs in August)
To be eligible for the 2011 Social Performance Reporting Awards, MFIs must report social performance data to MIX by September 30, 2011.
Networks and investors will also be awarded for their role in promoting social performance management and reporting. Network Awards feature two levels: Silver (for reaching 60% of affiliates reporting social performance data to MIX) and Gold (for reaching 90% of affiliates reporting social performance data to MIX). Investor awards also feature two levels: Silver (for reaching 55% of financed MFIs reporting social performance data to MIX) and Gold (for reaching 25% of financed MFIs eligible for a Gold Award).
For more information about the Social Performance Reporting Awards, contact Ms. Micol Pistelli: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .