Helping Communities Manage risks from the ground up.

What we do - at a glance

We carry out research, provide structured technical assistance to existing and new microinsurance units (MIUs), conduct specialist trainings, provide advisory services and engage in advocacy in a variety of areas linked to the development of the microinsurance sector internationally. In places where Insurance is a completely new concept for the rural poor, insurance education is very important to make people acknowledge & accept the benefits of microinsurance, and attract them to join such risk management schemes.

Our training and research teams worked with multiple partners to increase the awareness and understanding of micro insurance. Several baseline studies and pilot projects have been taken up.

The MIA has launched several demonstration case of microinsurance implementation following our inclusive model, and is working towards scaling these up as well as replicating similar projects across the world. MIA has community-based micro insurance (CBMI) schemes operational in three states in India (Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Orissa) and two districts in Nepal (Banke and Dhading). We are in the process of implementing additional schemes in Meghalaya and Rajasthan (India), and currently provide technical assistance to a diverse array of countries, including Tanzania, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Fiji.

MIA is at the forefront of innovation in the field of microinsurance for the poor in international fora. MIA advocates the value proposition of community based health insurance (CBHI) in several key conferences on microinsurance and develops papers for publication – which can be downloaded from our website. To advance the field of Insurance Education, MIA relies on a variety of communications tools, including a ‘Bollywood-style’ film titled “Sab Tujhse Hai” (literally meaning “Everything is in your hands”). The fiction movie, shot in Hindi, aims at educating people on micro health insurance through entertainment. It has been dubbed in Oriya and Nepali.

MIA's areas of expertise and experience are growing beyond health insurance to include, livestock and climate change adaptation. By the end of 2014, MIA expects to support implementations of microinsurance and other forms of pro-poor insurance in eight countries benefiting 1,000,000 individuals.

We are innovative in our integrated approach to the sector:

• We undertake cutting-edge Research on microinsurance and all socio-economic aspects of community based insurance schemes, and publish in peer-reviewed journals.
• Our staff provide Structured Technical Assistance to grassroots organisations and development agencies around the globe to set up Micro Insurance Units.
• We carry out Training programmes for professionals in the field and organisations who want to know more about the opportunities and workings of microinsurance as well as (re)insurance for microinsurance schemes.
• Our team provides Advisory Services to international and local NGOs, governments, bilateral and multilateral organisations and donor agencies regarding microinsurance, health financing and social protection.
• We work towards strengthening networks of organisations and carry out Advocacy activities to bring forward the agenda of microinsurance at the global level. 

Where we work 

(updated on Jan 2010)

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