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Desjardins Inter­national Development: Leader in inclusive finance

For the last 50 years, we’ve been promoting the economic empowerment of vulnerable populations in developing countries. Our activities foster financial inclusion and sustainability.

Desjardins International Development (DID) is an international development organization based in Canada that helps people take control of their finances and leverage available tools and resources.

Access to diversified and secure financial services is essential to development and improved living conditions. That’s why all of our work is focused on inclusive finance and financial education. 

We specialize in creating sustainable economic op­portunities

Making sure farmers have the tools they need

We encourage the adoption of more productive agricultural techniques that protect the environment. Increasing farmland yield promotes food security.

Supporting entre­preneurs

We support the growth of businesses, since prosperity drives job creation and boosts the local economy.

Helping young people take their place

We equip young people with the knowledge and tools to enhance their economic power, ensure their digital inclusion and realize their projects.

Empowering women and promoting gender equality

We provide women with knowledge to develop their potential and leadership. Education is crucial to eliminating poverty.

Our approach: Work with local populations

Our initiatives to fulfil our mission fall into 2 main categories: technical assistance and impact investing.

Technical assistance

  • Help financial institutions of all sizes find solutions to their problems
  • Educate the customers of these institutions so they're able to make better use of available services and control their finances
  • Help governments adopt policies based on the needs of their populations

Impact investing

  • Investments to support the performance, growth and good governance of inclusive finance institutions selected for their strong potential
  • CAN$59 mil­lion invested over the past 25 years to support 35 institutions and improve access to financial services for millions of families
  • CAN$50 mil­lion Aequitas fund to stimulate post-pandemic economic recovery and meet sustainable development objectives

The strength of our partner­ships is our hallmark

When we join forces, we can carry out projects that have a major and lasting impact on communities facing financial empowerment challenges.

Contact us

Online

50 years promoting the economic empowerment of vulnerable populations

Nearly 700 projects completed

Projects launched in 65 countries on 4 continents

Carbon neutral since 2017

Initiatives that make a difference

We work with our partners to share our microfinance expertise, adapting Desjardins Group’s experience and know-how to local realities. Our cooperative strength has a worldwide impact through:

  • Missions to help farmers, young people, women and entrepreneurs
  • Active partnerships in 30 countries on 4 continents
  • Proxfin: An international discussion and exchange network focused on inclusive finance

I used to think of savings as a luxury that only the rich could afford. Now, saving is a habit for me. I have a better under­standing of how credit works and how to make better use of it, especially to develop my business.

Participant

PINKK project, carried out under a partnership in Senegal

A team with a global outlook

Our team is made up of more than 100 experienced people with in-depth knowledge of financial inclusion. They use their open minds and energy to build connections and make a real difference in our beneficiary countries.

Help us help others

Being part of the DID team means putting your expertise and dedication to work for marginalized communities all over the planet.

Follow us on LinkedIn  and Facebook to see our international development job opportunities.

The partnership with DID is above all a human adventure built on friendship, closeness, and passion between "people from the North" and "people from the South" around an idea of strength: the ability of the population to take charge of their own lives by putting local savings to good use.

Alpha Ouédraogo

Director General, Confederation of Financial Institutions of West Africa from 2000 to 2014

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