This note summarizes the major lessons emerging from research to date on microfinance in armed conflict settings to identify areas for further examination to better understand and expand the frontier of microfinance in conflict areas.

 

Many lessons have emerged and have been disseminated, yet a disconnect remains between these lessons and current practices. In addition, several lessons pertain only to post-conflict settings with little relevance to fragile areas amid conflict and/or that are facing the possibility of a new conflict or the recurrence of a previous conflict.

 

There is a need to offer improved guidance on microfinance in conflict areas in order to better analyze various types of conflict settings. Using current guidance and the lessons learned as a foundation, further research could promote a more thorough understanding of the appropriateness of microfinance for conflict mitigation and management. In addition, further research on the following topics could help practitioners in starting, designing and implementing microfinance activities in various conflict settings:

This brief note, based on a substantial literature review and field experiences, is a summary of the major lessons emerging from research to date on microfinance in conflict settings to identify areas for further examination to better understand and expand the frontier of microfinance in conflict situations.