The Rural Finance Learning Centre is a new information gateway providing access to information and materials designed to support capacity building in organisations providing financial services in rural areas. For instance, currently we are in the process of developing free interactive self-study microfinance distance learning lessons. The website is developed and supported by the CABFIN Partnership a group of International Organisations interested in supporting capacity building in rural finance, www.ruralfinance.org

FINCA International (The Foundation for International Community Assistance) - Begun in 1984, is now helping over 120,00 borrowers through more than 6,000 Village Banking groups. Their mission is "to support the economic and human development of families trapped in severe poverty." They do that by creating "village banks," which are peer groups of 10 to 50 members, predominantly women. 1101 14th Street, NW 11th Floor Washington, DC 20005, USA Tel: (202) 682-1510, finca@villagebanking.org

Grameen Bank - has provided credit to over 2 million of the poorest of the poor in rural Bangladesh without any collateral. They have a repayment rate of over 95%. A total of 223 Grameen replication programs in 58 countries have been established during the last decade. Grameen Bank Bhaban Mirpur, Section-2 Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh Phone: 8802-9005257-68 Email: grameen.bank@grameen.net, www.grameen-info.org

Accion International - A nonprofit that fights poverty through microlending. 120 Beacon Street, Somerville, MA 02143, USA Tel: (617) 492-4930, www.accion.org