Since 2003, our organization has been modeling a unique approach to microfinance in Bihar (Northern India). As a grassroots organization, its operating mechanisms are designed by, and for, its members. We have supported well over 150, 000 people, with members who are more marginalized than those reached by other microfinance providers. Scheduled caste and other marginalized communities in rural Bihar lack access to microfinance and rely on moneylenders charging at least 60% annual interest. The prevailing wisdom was that it was not viable to provide them with very small microfinance loans. Development organizations also did not believe that these communities could choose how best to use loans, using their knowledge. The founder of CPSL had a chance to pilot an innovative microfinance approach with these communities as a part of a DFID-funded project with IACR (2001-03) and the very positive results led him to form CPSL in 2003. Since 2003 we have worked with marginalized communities (primarily in Bihar) to facilitate their ability to claim entitlements. We support the formation of female self-help groups using and delivery of low-cost, innovative microfinance using coordinators from the communities they serve. Our expertise lies in empowering illiterate women to sustainably use very small loans as they see fit. We have carefully developed and tested the systems and processes that they manage. Coordinators advise on using loans to access entitlements to government services. We have gained experience in monitoring and learning from loan provision and adapting what is offered to meet community demands.

We have reached nearly 20398 female borrowers, 113,000 direct beneficiaries (their families), and a further 226,000 indirect beneficiaries (children and their families who are not borrowers found to gain from Rojiroti). More than 90% of Rojiroti borrowers were found to be from scheduled caste and tribes or other disadvantaged castes, and some 80 percent were below the official poverty line. Loan repayment rates are 99%.Our board is made up of six community members who joined Self Help Groups (SHGs) from 2001 to 2013 and have become coordinators plus the founder of CPSL. The chairperson is a village-based coordinator. These members have overseen the creation of many new SHGs in the areas they live and this hands-on experience is a vital qualification for board members.

• Rojiroti aims to support women to make their own decisions about their lives and finances, through their group meetings. 
• Rojiroti's staff come from the same communities they serve, meaning they understand the livelihoods and needs of group members.
• Group solidarity and decision-making about the size and use of loans are prioritized.
• Rojiroti offers flexible repayment strategies and emergency loans to ensure that women are supported in times of crisis.
• Our priority has been to meet the need for small low cost (24%) loans for poor and marginalized women for purposes agreed by the SHGs (transport to health centers, social obligations through to agriculture and microbusiness).

Although there are many Government schemes to help the poor, those who are at the base of the pyramid often find it difficult to access them.We have a demonstrated track record of delivering a popular and sustainable model of microfinance for the poor in Bihar and can extend our work to these new villages at a low cost. Our loans are typically Rs50 for new borrowers and rise over time (e.g. up to Rs2000) but remain significantly smaller than mainstream microfinance providers. Coordinators have been successfully using Billpay machines and mobile phone technology to register loans and give receipts for repayments for some time and loan repayment rates exceed 99%. The innovation here is to devolve technology to experienced SHGs with whom we have been working for a number of years. Our coordinators are village-based and from the same background as our borrowers (typically coordinators have been SHG members).

Support from corporate will help us not only in reaching the very poor but also create an impact on malnutrition, Girl child education, women Empowerment, and Health.