What is a Microfinance Alliance Partner? Meet VIA International, just one of many incredible San Diego based organizations dedicated to building “paths to self-reliance for an interdependent world!” Focus is placed on community based programs designed to improve the quality of people’s lives through nutrition and ecology training, community leadership education and microcredit and microenterprise opportunities.

One of the many programs that VIA International has been instrumental in developing for communities is a special initiative called the Family Financial Security Program. More than 700 loans have been made for small-business ventures and home improvements in San Diego and across the border. This impactful enterprise encourages loans for the sale of homemade items, resale of items in community markets, and loans for family emergencies and home improvement. In only 6 years, 741 loans totaling $289,914 were disbursed to individual families and women’s groups. These loans generated $43,211 in interest making it possible to fund even more entrepreneurial ideas and covering up to 20% of the operating costs of the program. Almost 100% of loans have been repaid with interest through this initiative.

To find out more about this incredibly successful model of community based microloans go to their website.

Currently three graduate students are supporting the program to develop a growth strategy to encourage more participation and move the program further toward financial self-sufficiency.To get involved contact: Elisa Sabatini at [email protected]

VIA International Events coming up:

Clinton Global Initiative (panel on border poverty): April 2, 2025

San Diego Micro Finance Alliance Summit (panel on international microcredit): April 28, 2025

Edited by Justine Darling, USD Student