FDL, Asociación Fondo de Desarrollo Local

Funds to strengthen the loan portfolio in rural Nicaragua

Nicaragua

Asociación Fondo de Desarrollo Local (FDL) was founded in 1997 by the Jesuits Order to offer loans to microentrepreneurs, smallholder farmers and disadvantaged women in Nicaragua.

In addition to credit, FDL offers non-financial services such as technical assistance and training for end borrowers.

Financiera Fondo de Desarrollo Local was founded in 2016 as an entity that can incorporate private investors such as Oikocredit. Oikocredit along with other likeminded institutional investors acquired 30% of the common shares, while the NGO kept 70% of total ownership.

Other than equity, Oikocredit also grants loans to FDL, enabling the organisation to increase its social outreach and its contribution to financial inclusion.

FDL has been an Oikocredit partner since 2000.