Social capital is a powerful tool for economic development. That’s because relationships are at the heart of good business. Learn how building on existing social capital can transform a community.

Discover what poverty really means. Poverty definitions from the dictionary, World Bank, United Nations, and World Health Organization are helpful, but poverty must be experienced to be understood. Learn more.

Is development possible in countries affected by conflict, catastrophe, or corruption? Discover 5 lessons for sustainable development in fragile states.

Mobile money technology is revolutionizing the way the world banks and is creating new opportunities for the poor and rural communities.

Amidst insecurity and high inflation, businesses often default or are forced to close down. By creating stable financial systems, Five Talents is helping to rebuild business.

Rice banks provide alternative savings and empower cooperative business among the poor.

Five Talents helps group members like those in a recent study “put their money to work” when more traditional financial institutions are unavailable or their fees are too high.

South Sudan Community Bank is opening opportunities for subsistence level farmers and their families. Access to savings and loans enables many to send their children to school for the first time.

Eviction and resettlement are common for the urban poor of Indonesia. Migrants in search of opportunity in the city find a cycle of poverty and displacement.

Microfinance refers to a variety of financial services offered to the working poor. Microfinance products may include loans, savings, insurance, or other financial products and tend to be for very small amounts of money.

Glorie’s journey from extreme poverty to hope began with a literacy group in her local church. Learn more in this inspiring true story.

Economic empowerment can be a matter of life and death for vulnerable mothers in South Sudan. Learn how access to business skills training and community loans can make all the difference.

Frida escaped a life of shame and desperate poverty. Find out how in this inspiring true story and discover what empowerment looks like.

Community savings and loans help micro-entrepreneurs launch sustainable businesses in Sough Sudan. Consider one mother’s story.

Discover a powerful model for creating business and stimulating economic development in South Sudan.

Naw Moo is building a successful sewing business in Myanmar as a result of business skills training and the support of her village savings group.

Be inspired by a grandmother who learned to replace lost income and build her own business.

Discover how community savings is helping vulnerable communities escape poverty.

Elie learned to save and grow his farming business and build a brighter future with Five Talents.

Through her church, Maria joined a savings group and learned to build a business and eventually her own home.