Social Performance Ratings are now available for MFI that wish to complement their institutional and financial rating and provide a comprehensive information to their stakeholders (Boards, Management Team, Fund providers, Supervisory Bodies) for an optimal decision-making.

Social Performance Rating: A tool to improve your social performance
Social Performance Ratings include an audit of your Social Performance Management systems conducted with a transparent methodology and in an interactive mode to ensure an optimal appropriation of the conclusions of the audit.
For institution where social performance management systems are only incipient, our Social Performance Ratings can be complemented by a one-day training for MFI staff on concepts and best practices currently being developed in the field of social performance management (optional)
Social Performance Rating: A tool to communicate about your social performance
Our Social Performance Rating standardized and comprehensive rating reports are designed to suit the information needs of all MFI stakeholders (Boards, Management Team, Fund providers, Supervisory Bodies)
Social Performance Rating: Reduce risk, create opportunities
Improve your social performance management systems thanks to a thorough identification of weaknesses and information about best practices
Reduce reputation risks by demonstrating efforts made towards client satisfaction and client protection
Attract skills or funds and enhance staff motivation thanks to an image of socially responsible institution that differentiates your MFI from competitors
Increase transparency and comply with stakeholders information requests (fund providers, regulators, clients)
Main features
10-page detailed report explaining the rating
Socio-economic environment
Outreach and microfinance service offering in the country
Institutional Presentation (including a description of the clientele served)
Thorough social performance analysis including social performance indicators(see the next paragraph on our methodology)
Concise and clear justification of conclusions
Regional and international benchmarking, depending on the type of information available
Social Rating Methodology
Our methodology has been rigorously designed, thanks to our strong experience in the internationally recognized GIRAFE Rating Methodology (since 1999, over 300 missions in 60 countries).
Our opinion is based on an analysis of internal processes, documents and information and on socio-economic and sectorial national/regional data. For each area of evaluation we analyze the intentions, implementations and results.
Aligned with the common social rating framework of the international Social Performance Task Force (SPTF), our methodology is based on the four following areas :
INSTITUTIONALIZATION OF THE SOCIAL MISSION
In order to evaluate the institutionalization of the social mission, we review the intent to achieve some social impact, the integration of the social mission in strategic decisions, the systems put in place to measure and track social performance and to involve/motivate staff in the achievement of social goals. The probability that the institution might lose its social focus is also assessed.
TARGETING AND SERVICE OFFERING
This area relates to the analysis of the institution's ability to provide its services to a significant number of clients and also to the analysis of the systems put in place to know and reach out to its target clientele. When available, the proportion of poor and excluded people in the clientele is compared to internal targets.
This area also includes an analysis of the institution's understanding of the financial needs of its clients, its ability to tailor the services to these needs, and the level of satisfaction of the clientele. The efforts made by the institution to look for ways to reduce the cost of the services for the clients are also evaluated.
SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
The evaluation of the social responsibility includes a review of the systems in place to guarantee that clients will be treated with respect and dignity and a review of the fairness of the human resources policy. The efforts made by the institution to contribute to the community development through means other than financial services and to optimize the environmental impact of its activities are also taken into account.
Social Performance Rating Scale
Social Performance Ratings provide an opinion on the capacity of an MFI to achieve its social goals. The rating makes it possible to identify strengths and weaknesses of the MFI. It includes three areas which are scored from "1" (lowest) to "5" (highest). A weighing system is then applied in order to obtain a global rating from the scores assigned to each area.
5 - Advanced: Long-lasting commitment to social goals; efficient management of social performance and social responsibility risks; institution very likely to achieve a positive social impact.
4 - Convincing: Clear commitment to social goals; reasonable management of social performance and social responsibility risks; institution likely to achieve a positive social impact
3 - In progress: Clear intent to reach social goals; social performance management systems being implemented
2 - Incipient: Clear intent to reach social goals; low capacity to manage social performance
1 - Intangible: Intention to reach social goals is non tangible; low level of management of social performance
Social Performance Rating process
Because the sustainability of an institution is key to its social performance, Social Performance Ratings are only conducted for MFIs that have already undergone an institutional rating (with Planet Rating or another reputable microfinance rating agency)
Missions can be conducted at the same time as GIRAFE rating missions or within the 6 consecutive months. Combining both processes provides efficiency gains that are reflected in the prices
Rating process organized in the same professional way as for GIRAFE Ratings : see the Rating Process
Missions last 2 to 4 business days, depending on the size of the institution and the type of information available
Missions conducted by one rating analyst specialized in social ratings