*A first French microcredit provider under Progress Microfinance...*

IMF Créa-sol (Institut de Microfinance Créa-sol) is joining the group of microcredit providers under Progress Microfinance with a senior loan agreement of up EUR 1 million, which is expected to generate, thanks to the leverage effect, at least EUR 1 million in microloans, if fully utilised.

It is aimed at supporting micro-businesses and self-employed entrepreneurs in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region as well as in Corsica and some of the French DOM (Guadeloupe, Guyane, Martinique and La Réunion).
IMF Créa-sol is partnering with 34 local structures including 20 PFIL ('Plateforme d'Initiative Locale') that not only provide a wide range of mentoring service to IMF Créa-sol's clients, but also often play a role as originator and co-lenders.           
The European Progress Microfinance Facility (Progress Microfinance) is an EU microfinance initiative established with EUR 203 million of funding from the European Commission and the European Investment Bank and managed on their behalf by the European Investment Fund.
Progress Microfinance aims to increase access to finance for micro-entrepreneurs, including the self-employed. It has a particular focus on, but is not restricted to, groups with limited access to the conventional credit market. Examples include female entrepreneurs, young entrepreneurs, entrepreneurs belonging to a minority group, entrepreneurs with a disability, sole traders etc. Loans of up to EUR 25,000 are made available through selected microfinance intermediaries participating in the facility.
Progress Microfinance does not provide direct financing to micro-entrepreneurs or individuals, but it works through microfinance providers, such as IMF Créa-sol in France.

Bien à vous,

Morgane BRAVO

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