Starting Point
Since 1995, Pro Pride has supported individuals and communities—especially poor women—to start and manage micro-enterprises and improve their livelihoods. These efforts sparked a formal microfinance initiative and have impacted thousands of lives.
Through multiple livelihood promotion initiatives, Pro Pride has helped community members access credit, savings, and micro-enterprise supports across Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Amhara, and Oromia Regions. Formed entirely through internal loan groups in June 1995, these activities led to the creation of the “Gasha” microfinance institution in 1998, which formalized and expanded access to savings and credit serving 764 clients—most of them women.
All groups were formed based on community-driven wealth rankings to ensure the most vulnerable households were included. Members met weekly, saved regularly, planned livelihood actions, and linked with local authorities to drive social and economic change.
Core Strategy Overview
| Strategy | Key Elements |
|---|---|
| Self‑Help Groups (SHGs) | Women grouped into units of 15–20. Trained in savings, financial literacy, and business planning. |
| Cluster-Level Associations (CLAs) | 8–10 SHGs form CLAs to coordinate community action, training, and peer support. |
| Federation & Networking | CLA networks led to regional federations; Pro Pride worked with COSAP to amplify women’s voices and mobilize community resources. |
Impact at a Glance
Women mobilized across four regions through SHG/CLA methods.
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Birr mobilized in savings
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Disbursed in loans by end of 2017
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Clients enrolled in Gasha microfinance by 1998 as part of institutionalization efforts
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How It Works
Pro Pride conducts participatory wealth ranking to identify potential SHG members.
SHGs and later CLAs form and receive orientation on savings, bookkeeping, leadership, and record-keeping.
Groups save regularly—typically weekly. Savings are pooled and credit is offered through group-guaranteed loans.
Gasha was licensed in 1998 by the National Bank of Ethiopia (Proclamation No. 40/1996) to absorb the savings and credit scheme and to provide regulated loans for SHG members
Active CLAs cluster to federate and establish linkages with government, local NGOs, and COSAP to amplify influence.
Enabled by training and credit, members start or expand micro-enterprises and play leading roles in community mobilization.
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Quick Links
Contact Us
Email: info@propride.org
Phone: +251 11 663 0144 | +251 91 120 0602
Address: Sister NGOs Building, Yeka Sub‑city, Woreda 9 (near Athletics Federation), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Branches:
– Dire Dawa: Kezira, Kebele 03 – Tel: +251 25 112 5143
– Addis Ababa: Lideta Sub‑City,