Sustainable Microenterprise and Development
Program (SMDP) Certificate New Hampshire
Registration Now Open
Scholarships Available from The MasterCard Foundation
This comprehensive two-week program emphasizes a livelihoods approach to microfinance, enterprise, and community economic development. The curriculum is built upon a foundation of the Five Capitals of sustainable livelihoods—natural, physical, human, social, and financial. It emphasizes tools and strategies of transparency and good management practices that honor the Triple Bottom Line (financial, social, environmental) of sustainability. Students will learn the theories behind the practice of microfinance, microenterprise, and sustainable agriculture and community economic development. We will explore social entrepreneurship, impact investing, savings led development, community supported agriculture, and fisheries through both classroom and field-based investigation.
The SMDP Certificate offers a unique perspective by examining programs implemented in poor communities overseas, as well as economically challenged areas within the United States. Classes will include lectures, case studies, student projects, field research, and field visits to explore microenterprise and farm-to-fork development at the community level.
Faculty:
Dr. Michael Swack, Carsey Institute and Whittemore School of Business, University of New Hampshire
Dr. Malcolm Harper, Cranfield School of Management
Mr. William Maddocks, Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire
Dates/Schedule:
Monday, June 18, to Friday, June 29
Daily classes are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Guest Speakers:
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The SMDP Certificate will include guest speakers from a wide range of disciplines including:
Chioma Achebe, Bankable Frontier Associates
Brendan Ahern, Bankable Frontier Associates
John Carroll, UNH Professor, Natural Resources
Marilinne Cooper, Women’s Rural Entrepreneurship Network (invited)
Charlie French, UNH Cooperative Extension (invited)
Jan Maes, SEEP Poverty Outreach Working Group
Luke Mahoney, Brookford Farm
Vinod Parmeshwar, Oxfam Saving For Change
Drew Tulchin, Social Enterprise Associates
Yusi Wang-Turell, Carsey Institute Center on Social Innovation and Finance
Fiona Wilson, UNH Whittemore School of Business
Field Visits:
UNH Organic Dairy Research Farm
Women's Rural Entrepreneurial Network, farmers' markets, and micro-businesses for field research experience
Brookford Organic Farm
Brettonwoods, birthplace of the World Bank and IMF
Who Should Attend:
The SMDP Certificate is intensive and suitable for those either new to the field or mid-career practitioners looking for a deeper understanding of poverty, poor people, and the development strategies and initiatives which work to build sustainable livelihoods and communities in both developed and developing economies. This includes mid- to upper-level managers of microfinance NGOS or banks, donors funding or exploring support for microfinance programs, microfinance regulators, other development field practitioners who wish to learn about microenterprise development, individuals who are new to the field, NGOs who wish to design and initiate microfinance, enterprise development and impact investment programs, employees of government agencies and programs who are promoting microfinance, business professional interested in social entrepreneurship and impact investment, and students new to the field.
Participants will be expected to complete nightly reading or other assignments and be actively engaged in class sessions by sharing their experiences and knowledge.
UNH Master's Level Academic Credit is available for this course.
Fees and Scholarships from The MasterCard Foundation:
The fee for the SMDP NH Certificate is $4,250.00 and includes tuition and room and board. Partial to full scholarships are available from the MasterCard Foundation for practitioners who meet the eligibility criteria. See the Registration and Costs page for full details and application.