The Risorsa Donna" Foundation (member of Italian Committee for the year of Microcredit) is a private non-profit organization that aims to help women — through research, training courses and study seminars — obtain access to capital, information, technology and markets in various environments thereby providing them with opportunities to develop their own knowledge and encouraging the use of mechanisms and instruments to increase their awareness of their potential and the importance of their role in society both financially and socially. In particular, the Foundation, through specific actions in the micro credit and ethical finance sectors, proposes to serve as a cultural leader in the development of a savings culture, a financial culture and the entrepreneurship of women.

"The international year of microcredit provides a greater opportunity for the growth of women and their families and reinforces the role of women in society. Furthermore, it represents an opportunity to pass the awareness of better and more responsible management of money to new generations of women and men."

 Paola Barbieri  President, Risorsa Donna Foundation

In 2005 " Risorsa Donna" Foundation will be engaged in the promotion of many initiatives to support of the microcredit:

• Rome 23 march 2005 – seminar "Microcredit and women: an experience for the women immigrants"
• Autumn 2005 – seminar on microfinance in collaboration with" Interuniversity Observatory on Gender Studies" with Lumsa and University of "Roma 3"
• Dissemination and implementation of microfinance initiatives on italian area.