Better Than Cash Alliance: A Guide to Its History and Function

The Better Than Cash Alliance is a global partnership that aims to reduce the reliance on cash for everyday transactions. It was launched in 2011 by the United Nations Capital Development Fund.

The Alliance is made up of over 80 partners, including governments, companies, and international organizations. These partners work together to promote the use of digital payments and reduce the costs associated with cash-based transactions.

One of the key goals of the Alliance is to help 100 million low-income households move out of cash-based transactions and into digital payments by 2022. This goal is ambitious, but it's a crucial step towards reducing poverty and improving financial inclusion.

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The Better Than Cash Alliance was created in September 2012 by the governments of Colombia, Kenya, Peru, and the Philippines, along with several non-governmental organizations and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Its founding members also included CARE, Concern Worldwide, Mercy Corps, and the World Food Programme (WFP), which all shared a common goal of digitizing payments to boost efficiency and financial inclusion.

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The Alliance has since grown to include 80 member organizations and serves as an implementing partner for the G20's Global Partnership for Financial Inclusion (GPFI).

The United Nations Capital Development Fund serves as the secretariat, working closely with member governments, companies, and other global organizations to achieve the Alliance's goals.

The Alliance's members are committed to providing responsible digital payment options that are "better than cash", rather than abolishing physical cash altogether.

The Alliance Secretariat works with members on their journey to digitize payments by providing advisory services, sharing research and best practices, and conducting advocacy at various levels.

Some of the founding funders of the Alliance include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Citigroup, the Ford Foundation, and Visa Inc.

The Alliance has also received funding from other organizations, including the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Mastercard Foundation, and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).

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The Better Than Cash Alliance has a diverse membership base, comprising governments, international organizations, companies, and non-profit organizations.

The alliance has 28 government members, including countries such as Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Colombia, which have joined since 2016.

Some notable international organizations that are part of the alliance include the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Here is a list of some of the alliance's government members:

These members are working together to promote the use of electronic payments and reduce the reliance on cash.

The membership of an organization is a crucial aspect of its identity and purpose. There are several types of members, including governments, international organizations, and companies.

One notable government member is Mexico, which joined in 2016. Other government members include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, and Benin.

The organization also has a diverse range of international organization members, including the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF).

Some notable company members include Gap Inc., H&M, and Unilever.

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As a member, your duties and responsibilities are clear and straightforward. You're expected to attend meetings regularly, which are held quarterly.

You'll also be required to participate in discussions and contribute to the decision-making process. This is a great opportunity to share your thoughts and opinions with fellow members.

As a member, you'll have access to exclusive events and networking opportunities. This is a fantastic way to connect with like-minded individuals and build meaningful relationships.

Your membership also includes voting rights, which gives you a say in the direction and decisions of the organization.