The mission of South North Development Initiative
is to promote job growth and reduce poverty in Latin America and Southern
Africa through the establishment of specialized Local Investment Funds (LIFs)
which provide both capital and advisory services to small and medium size
businesses.
Small and medium-sized businesses in emerging economies can offer many employment
opportunities to low-income, disenfranchised, and minority groups. LIFs invest
for profit in small and medium size businesses in regions and among populations
without access to equity capital. The success of these businesses provides
an engine for local growth and brings long-term benefits to communities. LIFs
foster entrepreneurship, reduce poverty and create jobs while similutaneously
generating a return on investment. They respond to the needs and characteristics
of the local market and are entirely locally managed.
South North acts as a catalyst in launching
LIFs and provides seed money for select initiatives. Once established, South
North offers management, marketing, and technical assistance to LIF Managers.
South North also maintains Board membership
and technical assistance contracts with the funds to ensure profitability,
strong investment standards, and positive local impact.