Banyan Global was awarded a contract with the CGAP to serve as a technical service provider working on issues such as aid effectiveness and developing briefs and training. Banyan Global helped CGAP to finalize the 2009 round of SmartAid, which measures and rates how well development organizations are set up to provide funding and advisory services in microfinance, and promotes the transparent external assessment of funders’ management systems. Banyan Global also developed the Appraisal Brief that introduces the CGAP Appraisal Tool used to assess investments in microfinance institutions (MFIs) and the Operational Tool for Donors and Investors on Performance Based Agreements that articulates the role of performance-based agreements in supporting effective funding to MFIs. Banyan Global also reviewed several other tools including the Human Capital Brief and the Country Level Effectiveness and Accountability Review Tool, which combines aid effectiveness analysis with financial systems analysis. In addition, Banyan Global took the lead in the review and updating of the CGAP Funder Course, a one-week hands-on course on how funders can make a difference in building financial systems for people living in poverty.