Day5

6th March 2001 - Practises in the United States
Meeting with Ms Nalinii Shekar, Program Director Asia - IDEX (International Development Exchange) - San Francisco

Created in 1985, IDEX mission was to support directly grassroot initiatives marginalized by global economic forces, with donations and volunteers from US individuals, foundations, corporations.
Since 2 years, IDEX has changed its action by building alliances with local partner organisations instead of direct involvment. If the mission is still to support local communities, these partnerships help IDEX to meet better the local needs in the long term.
IDEX has concentrated its work in 9 countries in 3 regions : India, Bangladesh and Philippines in Asia, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico in Latin America and Moambic and South Africa in Africa (the 3rd is to be defined). 3 of these partners represent their region in the board. IDEX answers its partners needs. Its only requirement is to spend at least half the money given on local projects. The relation between IDEX and its partners go beyond financial aspects : co-mass-mailing, co-research on specific themes. IDEX doesn't lobby but it launched several projects in the USA to educate teachers and students.
7 people are working for IDEX, helped by an average of 35 volunteers a year. Thes volunteers are recruited according to their skills and the IDEX needs. Some of them might go and help the local partners after having followed 6 to 9 months of training.
In 2000, IDEX budget has reached about $ 650 000, 51 % coming from foundations or corporations (some donations have been refused beacause of the responsibility of some corporations in the increasing poverty in the underdeveloped countries) and 33% from individuals. IDEX refuses USAID money as it disagrees with US foreign policy. 2/3 of these resources have been used for regional programs and projects, 16% for the educational program, 11% for fundraising and 10% for administrative support.
The board is composed of employees, volunteers, and volunteers from other associations needed for IDEX activities.
Since its creation, IDEX has provided $ 1.75 million to more than 450 community projects worldwide.
IDEX is concerned by social finance as it financed some micro-credit funds when asked by its partners. These funds were buit on local savings and then co-financed by IDEX and its partners. For Nalini Shekarm, the micro-finance is still only one tool that should be integrated in a more general action.