The Odisha State Association of Financial Inclusion Institutions Trust (OSAFIIT) operates as an apex level organization, representing the institutions involved in promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship in the state of Odisha. OSAFIIT is registered as a Charitable Trust in 2016. Popularly known as OSAFII, it also functions as a member-based association of various institutions-NBFCs, NBFC-MFIs, Small Finance Banks (SFBs) and others, who provide financial services, mainly micro credit to the low income groups of people, with a focus on Women SHG/JLG Members in the state. The core intent of the association is to provide a common platform for all stakeholders to share their experiences and facilitate better coordination among them. It works to strengthen further the inclusive finance sector by promoting industry standards and addressing state-specific issues and challenges. OSAFII also helps build the capacity of its members across various thematic areas, including code of conduct, responsible finance and client protection principles. Initially, seven home-grown MFIs in Odisha came together to form and register OSAFII with the financial support from SIDBI-PSIG and technical assistance from ACCESS-ASSIST. Later on other MFIs, having their HQ outside but operating in Odisha, joined the association. Currently OSAFII has got 28 Members in Odisha. Collectively MFIs engaged in several rounds of discussion and consultation to finalize the association's aims, objectives, vision, mission and future strategies.

As an institution OSAFII has got a few distinctive elements including having an independent legal entity, strong membership base, potential networking with the state and national level associations, reasonable HR & other infrastrures to implement projects, compliances to other laws including GST, IT, PAN, TAN, CSR-1, etc. Recently OSAFII also got registered itself as a Not for Profit Organization (NPO) on BSE-Social Stock Exchange (SSE).

The objectives of the association are as follows:

• • To create a common platform for Members and Stakeholders for sharing of experiences and facilitate effective coordination among them to expand financial inclusion and promote livelihood opportunities among the low income groups of people in the state;
• • To enhance the capacities of Member Organizations and Stakeholders for delivering need based financial services to Customers-Women SHG/JLG Members in a responsible manner.
• • To support Member organizations in adopting appropriate standards and industry benchmarks for Responsible Finance, Code of Conduct, Client Protection Principles, Social Performance Management (SPM), Gender Mainstreaming and Good Governance etc.
• • To organize Customers’ Education Programs, Financial/Digital Literacy Trainings, Gender Diversity & Women Empowerment for Women SHG/JLG Members and other target groups.
• • To organize thematic workshops, conferences, FI Conclaves and other need based events for Member organizations, customers and stakeholders in collaborations with partners, sponsors, donors and Line Depts.
• • To promote, strengthen and sustain Entrepreneurships among various poorer segments of the population including Women SHGs/JLGs Members, Youth, Artisans etc through need based Capacity Building-EDP/Skill Trainings & Business Development Services.
• • To facilitate healthy growth of the micro credit institutions through participation in capacity and sector building activities as well as coordinating with governmental agencies and public organizations.
• • To develop and implement projects/programs including on financial inclusion, entrepreneurship development, skilling and employment opportunities etc. and provide technical assistance and support for that.
• • To pursue advocacy with Govt. Depts, Regulatory/Apex bodies on various policy and program related issues and challenges faced by the microfinance sector in the state.
• • To coordinate and collaborate with all key stakeholders-Govt Departments and their projects, etc. Donors, Banks, Investors, Microfinance forums/networks at the state, regional, national and international levels for greater benefits of the Customers.