LaunchME is a free initiative which gives people the opportunity to develop, finance and launch their own business. Participants work alongside other community members to create their business ideas with support from experts in the field. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach: the program is tailored to the needs of each participant.
The LaunchME program includes coaching, mentoring, business planning, building skills and networks as well as a microenterprise loan to help participants get their business up and running.
There are four programs:
To be eligible applicants must:
To be eligible, applicants must:
Supported by:
Australian Government Department of Social Services
The success of Good Shepherd Microfinance in Australia has been harnessed to boost a new program helping Central Americans pull themselves out of poverty.
The Good Shepherd program called Solidarity for Financial Inclusion is operating in Nicaragua, Honduras and El Salvador, where 60 per cent of households live in poverty and more than half of them in extreme poverty.
No interest loans up to $1,500 for essentials goods and services such as white-goods, furniture, and education expenses.
Retail stores offering safe, fair and affordable financial services at prominent 'high street' locations in Victoria, South Australia and Queensland.
Online learning, face-to-face training and webinars that maximise the skills and resources of microfinance workers across Australia.
A buying service which leverages the purchasing power of our national network to access the best prices, quality products and excellent customer service for clients.
A national program providing organisations with a framework to support the development of a series of practical actions they can take to improve financial inclusion for employees, customers and communities.
Affordable, simple and effective insurance policies for people on low incomes, designed in partnership with some of Australia's leading insurers.