The Imp-Act SPM Network connects individuals and organisations who are committed to managing and achieving social performance in microfinance. This is also a space for practitioners to share experiences, common challenges and key lessons learnt around social performance management (SPM). Join in!

La Red GDS de Imp-Act vincula a individuos y organizaciones comprometidas con la gestión y alcance del desempeño social en las microfinanzas. Se trata también de un espacio para que los profesionales de las microfinanzas compartan sus experiencias, preguntas, retos comunes y las principales lecciones aprendidas sobre la gestión de desempeño social. (GDS). Acompáñenos!

Alok Misra is a researcher at the Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand, focusing on India in his work.

Why am I interested in SPM?
While I was reading literature on microfinance for my research, I came across the work of Imp-Act, and have tracking it since then, as I feel that it rightly brings the focus back to the client. In absence of SPM, microfinance faces the danger of repeating the mistake of earlier supply-led rural finance. In future, I hope to learn more about social rating.

What's my story?
My professional work has been with Apex Development Bank of India related to rural finance. I did my PhD research to assess client level impact and expectations as against prevalent practice of relying on institutional parameters. My research has led me to believe that SPM is the way forward - if microfinance is to avoid "Mission Drift'.

What’s the next big challenge facing the industry in SPM?
The most critical issue before SPM is to agree on common minimum benchmarks for assessing SPM of MFIs operating in different contexts and diverse operational methodology. Following this, there is a need for policy advocacy work to convince multilaterals and donors to tie funding to composite rating - both financial and social.

If I could ask one question to new Network members, it would be: Why do you think SPM is important in microfinance and what difficulties do you foresee in implementing SPM?