Financial Inclusion Training
Our Training
At IDEAS, we believe in the power of financial knowledge to change lives. Our Financial Inclusion Program provides the tools, training, and support people need to build stable, independent futures. Whether you’re a woman seeking to start a small business, a young person looking for new opportunities, or a microentrepreneur striving to grow, we’re here to help you succeed.
Our Impact
743
People Trained
Equipping
individuals with
financial and
business skills.
423
Women Trained
Women
empowered to
lead and thrive in
their communities.
127
Youth
Youth gaining
tools to kickstart
their careers.
220
New Microentrepreneurs
New
microentrepreneurs
growing businesses
that support their
families.
2972
Indirect Beneficiaries
Families and
communities
thriving thanks to
our programs.
32
Mexican States
Families and
communities
thriving thanks to
our programs.
What’s Next: Our 2025 Goals
We’re expanding our efforts to reach more people and change even
more lives:
- 1,500 Individuals Trained: We will more than double the number trained in 2024 delivering practical, hands-on training.
- 6,000 Indirect Beneficiaries: Impacting families and communities.
Our Focus Areas:
- Women: Helping 810 women gain financial independence.
- Youth: Equipping 202 young people with essential skills.
- Microentrepreneurs: Supporting 405 small business owners to grow
How it Works
Financial Literacy
Learning how to manage savings, investments, debt, and taxes.
Business Skills
Acquiring the tools needed to start or grow a successful business and connecting with support networks.
Access to Resources
We guide you in choosing financing options, obtaining accounts and loans.
Personal Assistance is Key
In addition to Training, we offer Technical Assistance (TA) to individuals who have completed our courses. We help a microentrepreneur to analyze her or his business and see what changes they would like to make to be eligible for more financing that they would use wisely. Sometimes we offer TA to larger small business owners even though they have not attended a basic course. Even Mexicans who are returning to their country find that they need assistance in navigating the financial system that has innovations each year.
Most of the Technical Assistance is one-on-one but when we find several business owners who have a similar problem we form a small group to help each other as they learn from us to overcome problems. For example, in the group some have had accounts with one financial institution and others have borrowed from other institutions. The participants learn which institutions have what advantages and often go to other institutions after TA meetings. IDEAS in provides how how-to infographics on how to best work with the institution. IDEAS also works with the institutions to be more flexible to the needs of our populations.
In the story below, you will read how IDEAS helped Bety and Felix to get their first loan for their growing business. Each of them took one of our courses, then after TA we found a lender that was willing to offer them an appropriate loan.
IDEAS at Work
Bety and Felix’s Recipe Transforming Their Dream Into Reality
When Bety and Felix fled Venezuela to rebuild their lives in Mexico, they brought with them very little except for hope, resilience, and a dream of opening a family restaurant. But with no formal business experience and no access to financial services, realizing that dream felt impossible.
That’s where IDEAS stepped in. Over 12 months, we worked alongside Bety and Felix, equipping them with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to not only start their restaurant but to thrive.
How IDEAS Helped Madeleine and Jesus Grow a Thriving Printing Business.
Madeleine and Jesus are a hardworking couple with big goals. Like many migrants, they moved to Mexico to start a new life and build something for their family. But running a small business isn’t easy, and they needed a little help to take things to the next level.