Siem Reap: on May 29, 2019, in Chikreng district, the team from SR-SMT and PCO, MoI, met with 3 SHGs from 3 villages of Kor, Taream, and Prinh, from Chikreng communes. The meeting involved a review of the SHGs’ self-assessments before receiving the grant. Each SHG graded itself along with with a variety of parameters, like timeliness of meetings, savings, attendance at conferences, and loan repayment in compliance with condition and regulation, among other categories. The SHGs had made plans for improving performance in areas they struggle in, and the elected representatives discussed these assessments and programs with the LEAP project team.

The World Bank has assisted the LEAP project through the Ministry of Interior (MoI) in the formulation of the Self-Help Group banking linkage program. It aims to deliver financial products & services to the section of targeting poor people in Siem Reap province that have limited access to the formal saving system. This segment, often from the lower-income families, meets its financial needs through informal sources such as money lenders, traders, family, and friends, etc. for the improvement of their business. However, these sources have their limitations.

Under LEAP, 10-20 individuals are organized in groups known as Self Help Groups (SHGs) by LEAP project and managed by Siem Reap provincial administration. The SHGs are also encouraged to take up livelihood activities, for which certain NGOs provide skill training. The members of the SHG are encouraged to save and internally lend savings to members during times of need. LEAP project also offers knowledge on managing books of accounts.

During the meeting, the team explained to SHG members on what makes an SHG successful. First, members must attend meetings on time and, ideally, all members should participate in each session. It is also essential that everyone at the conference can speak openly. The SHGs must see it as a safe place where members, who previously might have been afraid to voice their problems, are welcome to speak out.

The team stressed that loan payment must be on time, and everyone should know who has taken a loan and the agreed interest rate.

Finally, the team also advised that SHG must have a good leader who can represent the group at the bank or local government, call and run meetings, and do accounting. During the sessions, representatives work together to help each SHG meet these goals. The LEAP project team decided that SHGs in Chikreng are qualified to receive a grant in the short future.