SmartAid for Microfinance Index 2013: Submission Guide

This Submission Guide leads funders through the SmartAid for Microfinance Index (SmartAid) submission process. It explains the rationale behind the indicators and describes what the SmartAid Review Board looks for when assigning scores. SmartAid measures whether funders have the internal management systems necessary to support microfinance effectively. It helps CGAP's members engage in self-examination to improve their practices. SmartAid is a service for funders that want to improve their effectiveness in supporting financial inclusion. Participating funders receive an independent external assessment of how they work based on a methodology that builds on CGAPs work in aid effectiveness. The methodology builds on the findings of 17 Microfinance Donor Peer Reviews facilitated by CGAP from 2002 to 2004. The Review Board bases its scores on a study of the Submission Roadmap and all submitted documents. The Submission Roadmap includes three parts in which funders are asked to:

• Complete a short questionnaire of general questions about their institution;
• Describe their typical project/investment cycle, specifying responsibilities for key steps within the process and the involvement of microfinance specialists;
• Respond to a set of key questions related to SmartAid indicators;