FDL

	PARTNER: Fondo de Desarrollo Local (FDL) WEBSITE: www.fdl.org.ni COUNTRY: Nicaragua

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE: FDL began its activities in 1992 as part of the NITLAPAN research institute of the Universidad Centroamericana (UCA), a Catholic university founded by the Jesuits. FDL became an independent nonprofit organization in 1997. FDL's principal goal is to provide financial services to micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, both rural and urban, to enable them to increase their standard of living. Its financial services are complemented with agricultural technical assistance, which is provided through the NITLAPAN institute. Its social commitment is evident in its continued effort to target lower income segments of the population (see related newsletter article), and all of FDL's profits are reinvested in the growth and improvement of the organization.

FDL operates in all but two Atlantic Coast departments of Nicaragua, with a strong position in rural areas.

ORGANIZATIONAL VITALS