Frequently Asked Questions?

Q: What does RFLC stand for?

A: RFLC is the acronym for the Rural Finance Learning Centre. This is a web site created by the CABFIN Partnership as a means to network among practitioners, policy-makers, extension workers, academics and donors in order to allow expanded access to the best materials for capacity building and training information in rural finance. The RFLC is currently funded by FAO, GTZ, IFAD and World Bank. Read more about the CABFIN Partners.

Q: Do you need to login to use the system?

A: No, the Learning Centre is freely available to the public and can be used without logging in. Although, there are benefits to becoming a member, such as the ability to post your CV or organisation profile, suggest resources and volunteer to become an editor. Read more.

Q: How do I change my password?

A: You can change your password by entering into the my info section of the RFLC via the link that appears in the Member login section of the left hand side bar. My info is the personalised section of the RFLC and your password can be changed in the My settings section. Click here for more information about what the my info section contains.

Q: What is a Topic?

A: The five gateways are divided into topics, which are representative of the materials that can be found within them. For example the resources gateway has three main topics: client-advice, management and policy-making. These topics contain materials relevant for those who deal on a regular base with clients, materials that address the management issues for rural finance intermediaries and policy-making resources. Topics may also contain sub-topics and in this way create a hierarchy of topics called a topic tree. Read more.

Q: What is a Topic Editor?

A: A Topic Editor assists in the administration of topics by editing, adding and ranking the resources submitted to their topic, writing editors notes and moderating system wide discussions. If you have a proven track record of interest, ability and experience in a particular rural finance topic and can allocate a short amount of time, preferably on a weekly basis, to review, select and upload resources that are suggested for inclusion in that topic, you are invited to volunteer to be a Topic Editor. Click here to learn how.

Q: What are Knowledge Objects?

A: Knowledge Objects (KOs) are used in the system terminology to represent resources (materials) that are held in the system. You can see the reference to Knowledge Objects in the RFLC footer.

Q: How do I suggest resources?

A: Use Search or Browse to locate the topic that you are interested in, select the type of resource you wish to suggest from the drop down list of Suggest Forms, then click on the +suggest button, and follow the instructions on the suggest form that appears. Only registered members of RFLC can suggest knowledge objects and you must be logged in to do so. Read more.

Q: What types of resources can be submitted to the RFLC?

A: The RFLC is interested in any resource (documents, books, lessons learned, best practices, training materials, powerpoint presentations, web sites, etc.) that can be constructively used in building one's capacity in rural finance. The abstracts should be purpose written as to indicate the main capacity building message of the resource and its particular usefulness to the user. Please read our Content and Submissions Policy for more detailed guidelines.

Q: Can I submit a document written in a language other than English?

A: Yes. The RFLC can be navigated in English, French and Spanish, but we accept resources written in any language. If the resource is only available in the original language, please write the abstract in that language. Please read our Content and Submissions Policy for more detailed information.

Q: What are the Training guides?

A: The Training guides are materials featured separately, outside of the resource database, for their particular learning value added for training on specific topics. These materials include sets of session guides, handouts and exercises for training on a specific topic. They are freely downloadable and should be adapted to your local situation. Click here for more information.

Q: How do the Self-Study Lessons work?

A: The self study lessons are online interactive sessions that will walk you through some of the most important issues in rural finance. Each one should take about 30-40 minutes. Your answers will be saved while you are using the lesson but not once you close the lesson down. At the end of each lesson you can download a pdf summary of the lesson that contains the main issues addressed. Try them out!

Q: What is CABFIN?

A: CABFIN stands for "Improving Capacity Building in Rural Finance". CABFIN's goal is to promote and facilitate capacity building in rural finance with a view to increasing the availability and effective use of sustainable financial services in rural areas and, thus, contribute to improved livelihoods and reduced poverty among rural based households. Read more about the project.

Q: What is an RSS Feed?

A: RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is a easy way for you to keep up to date on the latest additions to the Rural Finance Learning Centre. It's an XML file that can be read by special feed reading software or a web service you can use from your web browser. Put the address of our RSS (or web) feed into your reader by clicking on the RSS feed link on the home page, and it will display the latest additions to the RFLC, each one with a link that will take you to the details page of the resource in our database. For more information and where to download feed readers, click here.