Microsfere works exclusively in rural areas. Our two first projects are in Ghana, in the Kakum National Park  and the Amansuri Wetland.

The people targeted by our project are excluded from the classic banking system because of their low revenues and their lack of financial guarantees. The microcredit proposed by Microsfere allows the beneficiaries to develop their commercial or agricultural activity. The specific measures implemented consist in the following: 

• Help beneficiaries form solidarity groups, 
• Introduce the principles of microcredit and microsavings and explain the function of a solidarity group, 
• Distribute the loans, 
• Propose counseling for financial management and loan reimbursement 
• Propose technical training 
• Provide biodiversity conservation awareness campaigns. 

Operation methods 

Microsfere has three offices: its headquarters in France, near Lyon, are responsible for the entire coordination, links with donors and communication development. In Ghana, our main office is near the Kakum National Park (Abrafo village – Central region) while a second office is located in the Amansuri wetland (Beyin village – Eastern region). The two local offices host the field personnel of Microsfere in charge for the project implementation and the contacts with the beneficiaries and the local partners. 

In order to be more efficient and to reduce administrative costs and given its recent creation, Microsfere relies partly on existing structures that are key stakeholders in the implementation of the projects on the field. Microsfere works in collaboration with: Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Ghana Wildlife Society (national organisations responsible for the management of Kakum and Amansuri respectively), Kakum Rural Bank, Jomoro Rural Bank (local microfinance institutions). Each partner focuses in its own fields of competence: 

• Microsfere determines in collaboration with the national partners the geographical areas of intervention, the means of implementation of the microfinance programmes, and also monitors the overall success of the micro-credit projects and their impact on natural resources. It acts in an independent and unbiased manner. Each application for participation in the project is studied impartially and with professionalism, and Microsfere ensures that its principles are respected by the partners. 
• The national organisations in charge of protected area management (Wildlife Division, Ghana Wildlife Society) are key partners in the project. Decisions on technical project implementation (implementation strategies, links with other projects, etc.) are mainly decided between Microsfere and those two organisations. 
• The local microfinance institutions (Kakum Rural Bank, Jomoro Rural Bank) receive the investment funds from Microsfere, and have the responsibility for the day-to-day management on the basis of principles set by Microsfere.

Accounts 

Microsfere is committed in the transparency of its fund management and of its accounts vis-à-vis its beneficiaries as well as its partners and donors. It has put into place the necessary mechanisms to provide all required guarantees of proof of its good management. 

The annual financial resources of the NGO come from memberships and donations.

Our annual accounts are controlled by a chartered accountant’s office and are available for public consultation upon request. 

 2008 Summary Activity report 

 2009 Summary Activity report  

 2010 Summary Activity report

 2010 Distribution of expenses

The M' team

Mariella Fourli President/Director	Daniel Bewong Project field coordinator	Aurélie Boulot Communications officer	Bridget Aku Adevor Accounts officer
Francis Andoh Nda  Field officer