Kiva conducts regular, ongoing monitoring of all Lending Partners, but only posts status updates here in response to relevant, major changes at the partner.

July 13, 2020 - COVID-19 Update:

Kiva has been in contact with FATEN to understand how we can best support their business and borrowers during the ever-evolving COVID-19 pandemic. We continue to prioritize the safety and well-being of all staff, borrowers and their families as this global pandemic continues.

While country-specific responses to the crisis vary, most governments have imposed curfews, travel restrictions, and nation-wide shutdowns. Palestine has imposed temporary moratoriums on loan payments, affecting not only microfinance, but the economy as a whole. This has caused many economies and businesses to grind to a halt.

As a result, borrowers and FATEN may experience difficulty making and collecting loan repayments due to the aforementioned restrictions or fallout effects of the virus. Over the coming months, it’s possible that lenders will see a delay in repayments and new loans posted by FATEN. As an impact-first funder, Kiva is committed to serving our Lending Partners, as in past crises. We are sympathetic to temporary increases in repayment delays and delinquency in order to help Lending Partners and borrower communities recover.

Kiva is working closely with FATEN to support them and their borrowers through the COVID-19 crisis. FATEN is sending regular updates to Kiva, and we'll update Partner Pages as we learn more.

On behalf of Kiva and FATEN, we’re grateful for your continued support through this difficult time.

Partner description:

FATEN is a non-profit organization that provides micro- and small loans to economically-active entrepreneurs in Palestine. Originally founded as program of the Save the Children Federation, FATEN spun off and became completely independent in 1999.

Initially, FATEN served only women micro-entrepreneurs, but has grown to include men as well. Now it operates through 20 branches across the West Bank and Gaza. Its growing staff travels extensively to towns, villages and refugee camps throughout the regions surrounding its branch offices.

FATEN aims to expand financial access for marginalized communities. It also supports projects in new and existing economic sectors, as well as farmers who own land isolated by Israel’s separation wall. To ensure that people benefit from their loans, FATEN provides considerable follow-up services too.

Since its inception, FATEN has focused on social responsibility. This extends to humanitarian, developmental, environmental, educational and health initiatives, in addition to economic outreach for women and youth. 80% of the beneficiaries that have received loans from FATEN are women.

FATEN’s unique lending approach

FATEN’s credit products include group, environmental, small investor and housing improvement loans.  The institution has also launched some products to target young people in Palestine.  Student and computer loans help Palestinian youth to reach upper education levels and to obtain diplomas. This success qualifies them to access labor markets and to secure brighter futures for themselves and families.  FATEN also conducts workshops to collect feedback from borrowers to be used in development of new loan products.