GOOD PRACTICE: Savings and Community Solidarity Groups (GESCO). AVSI, Cote d'Ivoire

Good Practice: – The Savings and Community Solidarity Groups (GESCO), as elements for the financial and social inclusion of crafts people

Brief summary

The GESCOs are inspired by traditional tontines and Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). Their main difference from these is that they are not limited to only rural areas. With the support of AVSI, GESCOs are set up on a professional and local basis to stay on a small scale where all members know and trust each other.

Key Areas of Good Practice

• Local savings (3.5)

• Strengthening the association capacity of artisans (3.6)

• Sharing social risks

• Microcredit and access to self-financing (3.5)

• Access to micro insurance for health (2.3)

• Building confidence and community social capital

• Stabilisation and strengthening of workshop assets and securing employment by accessing health.

This has reduced absenteeism at work. It has also enlarged the workshops and opened up new markets.