At ASUCO, we are learning that communities do not only need access to savings — they need systems that allow them to grow, invest, and stabilize their economic lives.
Through our PAEC-ASUCO program, and specifically the NAINUKA and CPEC strategies, we are currently experimenting with a model that seeks to respond to the limitations we have observed in traditional community savings systems.
In many Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), savings are often treated as accumulation. Members contribute regularly, but the use of those funds is constrained by short credit cycles and high pressure for rapid repayment. In unstable economic contexts such as Eastern DRC, this often leads to stress, conflicts, or even default at the end of the cycle.
Since 2019, ASUCO has been observing these dynamics closely through its field engagement. What we have learned is simple but critical: “Saving alone is not enough. Communities need to be supported in transforming savings into investment.“
Our current approach introduces a catalytic fund alongside the traditional savings mechanism. This fund plays a stabilizing and enabling role:
• It allows members to access additional support beyond their savings
• It extends the repayment horizon, reducing pressure
• It supports investment at the right moment, not just accumulation
At the same time, we encourage members to understand timing. The first two quarters of the cycle are critical. Saving more during this period is not just saving — it is investing in a system that generates returns through internal lending.
What is emerging is not just a financial mechanism, but a system.
A system where members are not only savers, but also investors. A system where those with relatively higher capacity can contribute more, indirectly enabling others to access credit, while still benefiting proportionally from the returns. A system where inclusion is not theoretical, but practical.
This week, during the 14th week of our 51-week cycle, we paused to reflect with our members, revisit their individual goals, and recognize progress. Seven women experienced a tangible step forward:
• Two were recognized for their commitment
• Six accessed catalytic support to strengthen their activities
• One of them had already repaid 50% of her previous loan
Beyond the numbers, what stood out was something deeper: renewed confidence and hope.
We are also continuously reminded of the urgency of timely support. Many women express a strong willingness and capacity to use financial resources effectively: “Trust us. Give us the means. We will grow.”
These voices are not requests for charity. They are calls for opportunity. And in contexts like Eastern DRC, timing matters. A delayed intervention can mean a missed opportunity, or even the collapse of a small business.
Today, our model is still in experimentation. We are learning, adjusting, and refining. But one thing is already clear: Communities do not only need financial tools. They need systems that combine discipline, flexibility, learning, and mutual support.
As we continue this journey, we remain open to insights from others working in similar spaces. And as of now, 5 women are still waiting for catalytic support before the end of April. This is both a challenge — and a call to act.
Learn about our activities in education sector: here.
