The Grameen Bank Microfinance Model in the Global North: Processes, Transfer Intermediaries and Adoption

Abstract

The spread of the Grameen Bank microfinance model has received global attention. The article discusses when and how the model traveled “North”. It finds that both specialized actors, such as policy ambassadors, and permissive local contexts were crucial in these adoptions. The US seemed more permissive, partly due to network ties and because of a neoliberal approach to social policy together with a strong focus on gender norms. In Europe, however, reception differed. The adoption of the Grameen model thus offers interesting insights into the South–North policy transfer of social innovations.