A number of developing countries including Uganda have of recent experienced tremendous growth of microfinance industry in financial and credit service provision. Microfinance development in developing countries and its’ impacts on the poor’s livelihood have been a central point of focus by academic community and development stakeholders. A number of actors like donors and government agencies have accredited microcredit as a program to help the poor improve their living conditions, fight extreme poverty and reduce the number of people living in absolutely lacking situations. The growth of microcredit schemes in Uganda has incited donors, government agencies, different microfinance institutions, individual and academia to measure the achievements of the program in relation to its’ different objectives. Despite the growing efforts and attention to measure microcredit impacts on livelihood transformation, less focus has been given to this scientific process of measuring program impacts. Ensuring credibility and validity is an important aspect that guarantees realistic representation and quality in scientific research when researchers seek to understand what has been achieved. It is upon the above background that this study established strong interest to understand and explore how different scientific research processes of impact evaluation relate to the quality of impact reports or outcomes measured. The study examines the main debate about microcredit impacts, this is aimed at providing necessary information required (epistemological benefit) to understand microcredit impacts within different perspectives of development. Different researchers’ background more specifically their academic qualifications, expertise, gender, institutions attached to and roles played during different impact studies is assessed by this study. The study looks at different methods of data collection, analysis employed by different microcredit impact studies and they impacted on different studies being assessed. The study uses text and systematic method of data and information analysis, different articles searched from Linnaeus University library website and other organizational reports got from different organizations databases, form set of data used in this study. A total of sixteen impact studies done in Uganda have been systematically reviewed. Conceptual framework in which validity is used as the main tool in the analytical discussion of study has been employed.

No description available.

Many African states are currently struggling to acquire social and economic development. Unfortunately, there are a number of factors that are challenging that success. Among them are disease, public policy, and governance. However, international organizations are in place with the goal of meeting these challenges and helping to prompt development. One of the most visible and well known of those organizations is the United Nations. The focus of this study was the impact of three United Nations programs operating in African states. The first was a National Volunteer program operating in Ethiopia under the United Nations Development Program. Next was a Women Entrepreneur Training program in Tanzania guided by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization. Finally, there was a Refugee Livelihood program focusing on micro-credit under the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. The research shows the varying success of each program and the impact they are having on their countries of operation. Each program accomplished many, if not all, of its goals and it is reported that they are having a positive impact on the country as a whole. This thesis displays the various ways in which these programs can prompt the development of African states, and implies that future programs will continue to increase African development.

Poverty is one of the most urgent problems on the international stage today. Although many strategies have been used to fight the escalation of poverty, each plan seems to ultimately fail. Micro-credit, an innovative and progressive idea, can be utilized as a successful and sustainable tool that works to empower people, by providing a means of improving one’s own economic situation. This research seeks to show that micro-credit is a useful way in which poverty can be alleviated in the developing world by fixing the root of the problem. Both Bolivia and Morocco are used as case studies to show that micro-credit is neither region nor context specific, and that ultimately this is the best tool to fight poverty in the developing world. Additionally, this research sheds light on the idea that supporting micro-credit institutions is ultimately in the best interest for all involved in the international community.

Esta pesquisa tem como foco os processos de desenvolvimento cultural e organizacional necessários à formação de mercados financeiros formais em regiões de baixa-renda. Para tanto, analisa o caso das cooperativas de crédito da região sisaleira da Bahia, uma experiência notável de inserção de populações de baixa renda no mercado financeiro. Com o acesso a serviços financeiros a baixos custos e a capacitação e assistência técnica proporcionadas pela associação dos pequenos produtores, os agricultores passaram a investir em atividades econômicas mais adaptadas ao clima semi-árido, ter acesso a novos mercados, planejar melhor a produção e o consumo, elevar a renda e promover o desenvolvimento local. Nessa região em que os sertanejos encontravam-se, e uma parte ainda é, dependentes de monopólios tradicionais que se perpetuavam através de vínculos personalistas de controle, os sertanejos contraem constante endividamento junto a comerciantes locais. A ação das Comunidades Eclesiais de Base e dos sindicatos de trabalhadores rurais, a partir dos anos 70, foi decisiva para promover um processo de desenvolvimento cultural e a formação de uma densa rede de organizações que possibilitaram ampliar o acesso dos agricultores ao mercado financeiro e a novos canais de comercialização. Por meio de uma análise interdisciplinar e crítica da realidade concreta e dos conceitos da sociologia econômica, da economia institucional, da teoria dos sistemas agrários e da antropologia, são reconstruídos os processos históricos que levaram à formação de cooperativas, é analisada a influência do clima sobre os mercados, é investigada a racionalidade econômica do sertanejo e são desvendadas as estruturas sociais que sustentam as novas organizações econômicas e o desenvolvimento recente da região sisaleira da Bahia. / This study aims to understand the cultural development processes required to create markets. The analysis is focused on the case of credit cooperatives in the sisal region of Bahia, which represents an outstanding experience of inclusion of low income people in the financial market. Access to low-cost financial services, together with training and technical assistance provided by the small growers association, allowed them to invest in economic activities more adapted to the semi-arid region, to reach new markets, to plan production and consumption, to increase their income and to promote local development. In this region, local people (the sertanejos) used to be - and still are dependent on traditional monopolies that perpetuate by means of personalized control ties, which keep them constantly in debt with local traders. The action of both the comunidades eclesiais de base (grassroot catholic organization) and the rural labor unions were crucial to promote a process of cultural development and the formation of a dense net of organizations responsible for increasing the growers´ access to the financial market and to new marketing channels. The analysis is based on a historical, inter-disciplinary and critical approach, and on concepts of economic sociology, institutional economics, agrarian systems and anthropology. The historical processes are reconstructed, the climate influence on the market is analyzed, the economic rationality of the sertanejo is investigated and the social structures that support the new economic organization and development of Bahia´s sisal region are revealed.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-25T20:20:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Vital Giordano.pdf: 1912325 bytes, checksum: 2346d63b4bef7ae03980f6d4d5474b25 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-18 / In capitalist industrial societies labor is every citizen s right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, legitimizes this right in Article XXII. The right to work is the counterpart of the right of private ownership. Every person has the right to work and education (Article XXVI of the Declaration). Therefore, these issues become matters of State. The elimination of unemployment is not a Constant in every nation s constitution but is considered a moral principle and therefore a goal to be reached. The labor force is used in accordance with the current economic and market demands, but the state's role assumes importance by seeking to mitigate imbalances harmful to workers (with government policies aimed at employment and generating income). The State should promote macroeconomic conditions of employment, directing fiscal and monetary policies to ensure employment and income for as many people as possible. Education is directly related to labor because jobs may not be fulfilled if the workers do not have the necessary skills which are acquired mainly in schools (lack of employability). This thesis aims to look at the operation and results of public policies on generating employment and income that seek to alleviate problems of unemployment on a local level. Sorocaba, in the state of São Paulo, is the city to be studied, using the Secretaries of Labor and of Youth as resources. In this city, these policies present encouraging results and rising indicators that favor workers. However, the inadequacy of basic education was also noted. Other issues to be evaluated: intermediation, the University of Workers, the support for young offenders or not, the support of artisans, the provision of micro-credits and the formalization of micro entrepreneurs / Nas sociedades industriais capitalistas o trabalho é um dos direitos dos cidadãos. A Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, de 1948, legitima esse direito em seu artigo XXIII. O direito ao trabalho é a contraparte do direito de propriedade privada dos meios de produção. Todas as pessoas têm direito ao trabalho e à educação (artigo XXVI da Declaração). Por isso, essas questões se tornaram questões de Estado. Suprimir o desemprego não é artigo constante nas Constituições dos países, mas se configura como um princípio moral e, portanto, como meta a ser atingida. A força de trabalho é utilizada de acordo com o momento econômico e as demandas do mercado, mas o papel do Estado assume importância no sentido de buscar minorar os desequilíbrios prejudiciais aos trabalhadores (com políticas governamentais voltadas para o emprego e a geração de renda). O Estado deve promover condições macroeconômicas de pleno emprego, direcionando as políticas fiscais e monetárias para garantir emprego e renda para o maior número de pessoas A educação é direito relacionado ao direito do trabalho, pois as vagas de emprego não poderão ser preenchidas se não houver trabalhadores com as capacitações necessárias adquiridas sobretudo nos bancos escolares (falta de empregabilidade). Esta tese tem como objetivo o exame do funcionamento e dos resultados das Políticas Públicas de Geração de Emprego e Renda que procuram amenizar os problemas do desemprego em nível municipal. Sorocaba, no interior do Estado de São Paulo, é a cidade selecionada, tendo como referências locais a Secretaria de Relações do Trabalho e a Secretaria da Juventude. Constatou-se que, naquela cidade, essas políticas apresentam resultados encorajadores e tendentes à elevação dos indicadores que favorecem os trabalhadores. Notou-se também a inadequação da educação básica para a preparação dos trabalhadores. Outras questões avaliadas são: o serviço de intermediação, a Universidade do Trabalhador, o amparo aos jovens infratores ou não, o apoio aos artesãos, o fornecimento de micros créditos e a formalização dos micros empreendedores

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-26T14:53:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Carlos Vital Giordano.pdf: 1912325 bytes, checksum: 2346d63b4bef7ae03980f6d4d5474b25 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-05-18 / In capitalist industrial societies labor is every citizen s right. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948, legitimizes this right in Article XXII. The right to work is the counterpart of the right of private ownership. Every person has the right to work and education (Article XXVI of the Declaration). Therefore, these issues become matters of State. The elimination of unemployment is not a Constant in every nation s constitution but is considered a moral principle and therefore a goal to be reached. The labor force is used in accordance with the current economic and market demands, but the state's role assumes importance by seeking to mitigate imbalances harmful to workers (with government policies aimed at employment and generating income). The State should promote macroeconomic conditions of employment, directing fiscal and monetary policies to ensure employment and income for as many people as possible. Education is directly related to labor because jobs may not be fulfilled if the workers do not have the necessary skills which are acquired mainly in schools (lack of employability). This thesis aims to look at the operation and results of public policies on generating employment and income that seek to alleviate problems of unemployment on a local level. Sorocaba, in the state of São Paulo, is the city to be studied, using the Secretaries of Labor and of Youth as resources. In this city, these policies present encouraging results and rising indicators that favor workers. However, the inadequacy of basic education was also noted. Other issues to be evaluated: intermediation, the University of Workers, the support for young offenders or not, the support of artisans, the provision of micro-credits and the formalization of micro entrepreneurs / Nas sociedades industriais capitalistas o trabalho é um dos direitos dos cidadãos. A Declaração Universal dos Direitos Humanos, de 1948, legitima esse direito em seu artigo XXIII. O direito ao trabalho é a contraparte do direito de propriedade privada dos meios de produção. Todas as pessoas têm direito ao trabalho e à educação (artigo XXVI da Declaração). Por isso, essas questões se tornaram questões de Estado. Suprimir o desemprego não é artigo constante nas Constituições dos países, mas se configura como um princípio moral e, portanto, como meta a ser atingida. A força de trabalho é utilizada de acordo com o momento econômico e as demandas do mercado, mas o papel do Estado assume importância no sentido de buscar minorar os desequilíbrios prejudiciais aos trabalhadores (com políticas governamentais voltadas para o emprego e a geração de renda). O Estado deve promover condições macroeconômicas de pleno emprego, direcionando as políticas fiscais e monetárias para garantir emprego e renda para o maior número de pessoas A educação é direito relacionado ao direito do trabalho, pois as vagas de emprego não poderão ser preenchidas se não houver trabalhadores com as capacitações necessárias adquiridas sobretudo nos bancos escolares (falta de empregabilidade). Esta tese tem como objetivo o exame do funcionamento e dos resultados das Políticas Públicas de Geração de Emprego e Renda que procuram amenizar os problemas do desemprego em nível municipal. Sorocaba, no interior do Estado de São Paulo, é a cidade selecionada, tendo como referências locais a Secretaria de Relações do Trabalho e a Secretaria da Juventude. Constatou-se que, naquela cidade, essas políticas apresentam resultados encorajadores e tendentes à elevação dos indicadores que favorecem os trabalhadores. Notou-se também a inadequação da educação básica para a preparação dos trabalhadores. Outras questões avaliadas são: o serviço de intermediação, a Universidade do Trabalhador, o amparo aos jovens infratores ou não, o apoio aos artesãos, o fornecimento de micros créditos e a formalização dos micros empreendedores

ABSTRACT This paper examines the relationship between microfinance institutions and the poor in Beira-Mozambique and the benefits accruing from the established relationships. The study focuses on access to credit and the promotion of entrepreneurship among the target group. The study concludes that the institutions and the target group, especially active clients, treasure close long-term relationships and strive to build and sustain such relationships. However, the relationships have thus far had only a limited, albeit promising, impact on the sustainability of the institutions, access to credit and the promotion of entrepreneurship among the target group. Another major finding is that clients already in the credit relationship do not have serious problems accessing credit upon successful repayment of previous loans. However, those seeking to enter credit relationships face strict entry requirements. In short entering credit relationships is more difficult than staying in them.

The purpose of the study is to: (1) examine the degree to which women borrowers of the Grameen Bank are being empowered to participate in familial decision-making around the management of income and expenditures like food, children’s education, dowry and teenage marriages; and (2) to examine women borrowers’ engagement in community activities such as the degree of freedom women are granted to visit public places like schools, local councils, banks and markets. In particular, the study explores the role of the Grameen Bank (GB) in women’s empowerment through the Sixteen Decisions, an educational program designed to empower women in the family and community. This study used a mixed-methods research design that included 61 GB women borrowers selected through purposive sampling. The data suggest that the participants have assumed leadership roles within their families: more than 80% of the study’s participants led decision making within their family; more than 90% supported their children’s education financially; 91% reported that they worked together with family members to manage day-to-day expenses; 80% reported that they manage their family incomes; 98% reported they do not like dowry marriages and teenage marriages; and 33% view male-dominant values as a hindrance to women’s development. The findings indicated that 98% of GB women borrower participants are engaged in community organizations and 94% do not face problems with this engagement. In the 2009 UpZilla (Municipal Sub-district) Election, out of 481 seats, 114 Female Chairs (25% of the total) were elected from the GB women borrowers and their families (Grameen Bank, 2009). In addition, the number of women borrowers serving as councilors has increased from 1,572 in 1997 to 1,950 in 2003; these data indicate that the number of women borrowers acting in formal leadership roles is increasing (Grameen Bank, 2009). The study finds the GB program has had a positive impact upon the borrowers’ relations in the family and community. In spite of these developments, one-fifth of GB women borrowers’ husbands control their wives’ loan money, an indication of the strength of patriarchy in Bangladesh. Although GB’s Sixteen Decisions have included economic issues and other social issues, none directly discusses gender inequality, which the study findings suggest is important. Hence a revision of the Sixteen Decisions is suggested.

The purpose of the study is to: (1) examine the degree to which women borrowers of the Grameen Bank are being empowered to participate in familial decision-making around the management of income and expenditures like food, children’s education, dowry and teenage marriages; and (2) to examine women borrowers’ engagement in community activities such as the degree of freedom women are granted to visit public places like schools, local councils, banks and markets. In particular, the study explores the role of the Grameen Bank (GB) in women’s empowerment through the Sixteen Decisions, an educational program designed to empower women in the family and community. This study used a mixed-methods research design that included 61 GB women borrowers selected through purposive sampling. The data suggest that the participants have assumed leadership roles within their families: more than 80% of the study’s participants led decision making within their family; more than 90% supported their children’s education financially; 91% reported that they worked together with family members to manage day-to-day expenses; 80% reported that they manage their family incomes; 98% reported they do not like dowry marriages and teenage marriages; and 33% view male-dominant values as a hindrance to women’s development. The findings indicated that 98% of GB women borrower participants are engaged in community organizations and 94% do not face problems with this engagement. In the 2009 UpZilla (Municipal Sub-district) Election, out of 481 seats, 114 Female Chairs (25% of the total) were elected from the GB women borrowers and their families (Grameen Bank, 2009). In addition, the number of women borrowers serving as councilors has increased from 1,572 in 1997 to 1,950 in 2003; these data indicate that the number of women borrowers acting in formal leadership roles is increasing (Grameen Bank, 2009). The study finds the GB program has had a positive impact upon the borrowers’ relations in the family and community. In spite of these developments, one-fifth of GB women borrowers’ husbands control their wives’ loan money, an indication of the strength of patriarchy in Bangladesh. Although GB’s Sixteen Decisions have included economic issues and other social issues, none directly discusses gender inequality, which the study findings suggest is important. Hence a revision of the Sixteen Decisions is suggested.