UNI2 Microcrédito, a Microfinance Organisation Serving Rural and Farming Communities in Colombia

This case study examines UNI2 Microcrédito, a for-profit microfinance institution in Colombia, to test the RAI Scoring Tool developed by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) and CERISE. While the tool was designed for agricultural value chain actors (AVCAs), UNI2's participation helped refine the instrument's indicators and design. The study assesses UNI2's alignment with the Committee on World Food Security’s Principles for Responsible Investment in Agriculture and Food Systems (CFS-RAI), highlighting the company's strengths in transparent governance and its gaps in environmental risk management and social empowerment programs.

• UNI2 achieved an overall average compliance level of 69% with the CFS-RAI, with scores varying significantly by dimension from 31% to 97%. The highest scores were in inclusive and transparent structure (97%) and strategy and accountability on responsible agriculture (86%), while the lowest was in environmentally sustainable processes, products, and services (31%).
• UNI2 operates as a for-profit private company established in 2014, focusing exclusively on microfinance to maintain strategic focus and incentivize profitability. It serves Colombian households through four product lines: PROGRESA (working capital), CULTIVA (agricultural inputs), CARGA (utility vehicles), and MOTO (motorbikes). Rural credit clients make up 40% of its portfolio, and approximately 15% of its loans are agricultural in nature.
• The company demonstrates strong adherence to transparent governance and client protection. It received a "gold" standard certification from Microfinanza Rating in 2021. Its grievance mechanisms include telephone numbers, a complaints inbox, WhatsApp chat, and an online system, with a policy requiring complaints to be addressed within a specified timeframe.
• UNI2 shows significant gaps in environmental sustainability and climate risk management. It does not assess its own carbon and greenhouse gas emission levels, nor does it conduct regular assessments of environmental vulnerabilities for its clients, despite financing vehicles and agricultural activities.
• Regarding social and human resource development, UNI2 employs a non-discrimination hiring policy rather than preferential hiring for women, youth, or local communities. Additionally, it does not provide training for board members or senior management on responsible business conduct or sustainable natural resource management.
• The case study served as a test for the RAI Scoring Tool, leading to several design improvements. UNI2 suggested that instead of a complex programmed filter for different organizational types, the tool should provide the full suite of questions and allow users to select "n/a" for non-applicable items, with the final dashboard reporting the percentage of non-applicable questions.
• The CARGA product line, which finances utility vehicles, has shown measurable impacts on rural micro-entrepreneurs. Case studies indicate that acquiring a vehicle through UNI2 reduced transportation costs for one client by 33% and increased monthly liquidity by 31%, while another client saw a 20% increase in productivity and monthly sales.

APA

Mirza, H., & Pringle, D. (2025). UNI2 Microcrédito, a Microfinance Organisation Serving Rural and Farming Communities in Colombia. International Institute for Sustainable Development. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/responsible-agricultural-investment-uni2-microcredito.pdf

Chicago

Mirza, Hafiz, and Duncan Pringle. UNI2 Microcrédito, a Microfinance Organisation Serving Rural and Farming Communities in Colombia. International Institute for Sustainable Development, 2025. https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/responsible-agricultural-investment-uni2-microcredito.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mirza |first1=Hafiz |last2=Pringle |first2=Duncan |title=UNI2 Microcrédito, a Microfinance Organisation Serving Rural and Farming Communities in Colombia |publisher=International Institute for Sustainable Development |date=April 2025 |url=https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/responsible-agricultural-investment-uni2-microcredito.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mirza2025uni2, author = {Mirza, Hafiz and Pringle, Duncan}, title = {{UNI2 Microcrédito, a Microfinance Organisation Serving Rural and Farming Communities in Colombia}}, institution = {International Institute for Sustainable Development}, year = {2025}, month = apr, url = {https://www.iisd.org/system/files/2025-05/responsible-agricultural-investment-uni2-microcredito.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }