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The research examines the role of green micro-credit in creating livelihood options and women’s empowerment in Hakaluki haor. The role of green micro-credit is found important in creating livelihood options. The more livelihood options that the borrowers have, the less they are vulnerable to crises. Results related to women’s empowerment were diverse and complex. Women’s empowerment can mean different things to different individuals. Woman’s restricted mobility, low skill-set, and domestic workload impeded them from investing and using green micro-credit. Borrowers were found to be innovative, and had the capacity to maximize economic benefit from the green enterprises. The impacts of green micro-credit on environmental sustainability are yet to be assessed. Green micro-credit has not been running long enough. For firmer conclusions, a longitudinal study of sustainability and empowerment under green micro-credit would be needed.

This study investigates women's economic empowerment in relation to micro'credit schemes in southern Nigeria. The study also evaluates the benefits and limitations of micro'credit as a resourceful means of enhancing women's economic activities in the labour market and eliminating poverty among market and rural women. Micro'credit schemes and institutions which provide soft loans to women have become a critical tool in development programmes aiming to empower them. The Nigerian government (both at Federal and State levels) has pursued this development trend since 1985 and today, it is estimated that an increasing number of Nigerian women participate in these schemes. Besides, it is widely accepted among development practitioners that micro'credit schemes not only contribute to poverty reduction but also empower the have'nots. My research design has drawn on gender analytical frameworks such as the 1980 Harvard Analytical Framework, Kabeer's 1998 Women's Empowerment Assessment, and Mayoux' 2001 micro'credit empowerment paradigm. This study employed as its methodology, ethnographic field research. This includes semi'structured interviews and participant observation. In addition, data was obtained from state databases, archives and development websites. Throughout, both qualitative and quantitative methods and analysis were used. This study found that women in southern Nigeria are extensively engaged in economic activities. It also established that micro'credit provides finance to enhance market and rural women's participation in production and trade. The study further ascertains that women have some control over their loans. However, increased economic activities may have also increased participants' financial responsibilities and household decision'making is still a prerogative of male head of the family. In addition, this study found that older married women in this region enjoy a comparatively high degree of personal mobility, but restrictions on travel in terms of distance and time are very common for younger married women. These restrictions are sanctioned by customs, household obligations, and social infrastructures. While problems with the transportation network have enhanced the middlemen's domination of economic activities in this region they increased women's dependence on their services. All this renders empowerment for women more difficult to achieve although it makes a practical contribution to their everyday lives.

Background Bangladesh is a developing country located in the southern part of Asia. Almost eighty percent of the total population of Bangladesh lives in rural areas and most of them are poor. These poor people are not qualified to get loan facilities from the formal financial sector due to the collateral requirements. And informal financial sector also make them unattractive due to their tendency of higher profit making. Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank jointly awarded Nobel Peace Prize 2006 for the creation of innovative credit idea called “micro credit” for the poor people who are ignored both from the formal and informal financial sector. Micro credit has been introduced in Bangladesh in 1976 that allows the poor people to get small amount capital as loan without collateral for starting self income generating activities with the objective of alleviate their poverty level and gradually improve their life status. Purpose The purpose of this study is to explore the role of micro credit in rural poor people daily life status improvement process in rural areas in Bangladesh. This study investigates the role of micro on life status improvement process of these poor borrowers. Method The qualitative method has been chosen for this study which is implemented in the form of interview approach. Empirical data has been collected from the Grameen Bank borrowers and its official in Bangladesh. Results This study tried to cover how micro credit allows the poor people in financial access, how can affect their income level by starting self income generating activities, asset holdings capacity, basic needs, living standard, poverty level and finally on their life status. This study also covers how social welfare and other services offered by the micro finance institutions affect the poor people’s life status. Based on the empirical findings, this study suggests that micro credit has positive impact on borrowers’ income level, asset holdings capacity, basic needs, living standard and their poverty level. Social welfare services can increase human capital skills, personal awareness level of the poor borrowers. And finally all these things gradually improve the daily life status of these borrowers.

Magister Artium (Development Studies) - MA(DVS) / The promotion of widespread entrepreneurship through the setting up of small and medium sized enterprises (SMMEs ) is crucial for the transformation to a market economy and the democratisation of society in \the new South Africa. SMMEs are recognized as an engine of economic \ \growth and a source of sustainable development. Within this sector micro , 1nd small enterprises are of special importance because they are considered as the cradle of entrepreneurship, particularly in environments facing high ketllPIQYII'1:en!and poverty,. as j!) the case ~~.South Africg,

Thesis (M.M. (Finance & Investment))--University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Commerce, Law and Management, Graduate School of Business Administration, 2013. / This research work explores the risks that microfinance institutions (MFIs) face in their operations and the risk management strategies they adopt to mitigate their risks. Microfinance institutions serve some of the world’s most financially challenged population who otherwise would not have access to banking services. Risk management within the context of microfinance banking has gained importance within the last decade due partly to the fact that most MFIs are adopting business/profitability principles in their operations. Also, due to the recent financial crisis, MFI cannot afford to be indifferent to risk management practices in the battle for survival, financial sustainability and self-sufficiency. The data for this study is from both secondary and primary sources; 48 MFIs in Ghana responded to a questionnaire made up of 25 questions. Analysis of the responses obtained was done using Chi-Square test of equal proportions, P-values and other descriptive statistics. The Analysis found that the microfinance institutions surveyed are aware of the types of risk inherent in their line of business and do in varying ways employ some form of risk management strategies to mitigate losses and enhance profitability. Since credit granting stands at the core of the operations of MFIs, the management of risk as a result of the credits extended is crucial for their survival and profitability.

Microfinance and micro credits are concepts that are used frequently when talking about poverty reducing actions. This paper is a case study of the poverty alleviation impacts of microfinance institutions and it contrasts the effects of Grameen Bank and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) operating in Bangladesh. The case study examines the organisations effects in the 21st century since most of the reports have compared the effects in the past not reflecting on future conditions. The questions at issue are if Grameen Bank and BRAC can affect the poverty status of its members in a positive way and if there is a positive effect, which of the approaches are the best to use? To analyse the non monetary dimension, concepts such as health and education has been used as indicators for poverty reduction and the monetary indicator used is income through employment. Simultaneously economic models and concepts have been considered throughout the paper. The findings of this case study implied that both organisations have positive effects on reducing poverty among its members, but BRAC has the broadest view seeing to all factors investigated and therefore its approach is the best to use. Nevertheless, as previous studies have implied sustainability and cost-effectiveness within the microfinance programme is important for the long-run poverty reduction. Evaluating the economic performance of the two organisations Grameen Bank is more efficient in using its resources than BRAC, but Grameen Bank show a decreasing rate of efficiency while BRAC is improving significantly. With this in consideration BRAC is still showing the best poverty reducing result for its members today, but if the organisation does not find a way to improve its economical performance its actions will not be sustainable in the long run.

In this paper we are exploring the field of microfinance; financial services given to poor and low-income individuals who do not have access to formal financial markets. The purpose of our study is to investigate if the Credit with Education program provided by the microfinance institution RCPB in Burkina Faso has had an effect on the participating women concerning their empowerment, knowledge about management/micro enterprises and knowledge about child nutrition and health. We are using data from two surveys made in 2003 and 2004 by the consultant bureau Sud Consult that we are analysing in a qualitative manner in order to respond to our investigation question. This paper treats theories concerning the financial market and the importance of education, health and women’s empowerment. We present facts about microfinance in general and in Burkina Faso in particular and we review earlier studies on the subject. Our findings suggest that the Credit with Education program has achieved to increase the women’s knowledge concerning child nutrition and health. The program has had a smaller but still a notable effect concerning the empowerment of the women, specifically in the region of West. The program has failed to increase the knowledge of business management in the years studied. In our analysis we present suggestions of improvements of the program. / Dans ce dossier, nous explorons le domaine de la microfinance ; des services financiers destinés aux populations pauvres et aux individus aux revenus modestes qui n’ont pas accès aux marchés financiers. Le but de notre étude est d’examiner si le crédit avec éducation fournis par l’institution finansière RCPB au Burkina Faso, a eu des répercussions sur la prise de participation des femmes en ce qui concerne leur indépendence, leur connaissance du management/ PME et leur connaissance en matière de nutrition et de santé infantille. Nous utilisons les données de deux études menées en 2003 et 2004 par le cabinet de consulting Sud Consult que nous analysons qualitativement afin de répondre à notre question d’investigation. Ce dossier est basé sur les théories concernant le marché financier, l’importance de l’éducation de la santé et de l’indépendance des femmes. Nous abordons les faits du points de vue de la microfinance en général et du Burkina Faso en particulier et nous examinons des études réalisées précedement traitant du même sujet. Nos résultats montrent que le crédit avec l’éducation ont largement participé à l’amélioration des connaissances des femmes en matiéres de nutrition et de santé infantile. Le programme a eu une influence plus modeste sur leur indépendence, particulièrement dans la région de l’ouest. Le programme n’a cependant pas réussi à améliorer leur connaissance du management durant la période analysée. Dans notre analyse nous présentons des propositions d’amélioration pour le programme.

<p>Microfinance and micro credits are concepts that are used frequently when talking about poverty reducing actions. This paper is a case study of the poverty alleviation impacts of microfinance institutions and it contrasts the effects of Grameen Bank and Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee (BRAC) operating in Bangladesh. The case study examines the organisations effects in the 21st century since most of the reports have compared the effects in the past not reflecting on future conditions. The questions at issue are if Grameen Bank and BRAC can affect the poverty status of its members in a positive way and if there is a positive effect, which of the approaches are the best to use? To analyse the non monetary dimension, concepts such as health and education has been used as indicators for poverty reduction and the monetary indicator used is income through employment. Simultaneously economic models and concepts have been considered throughout the paper.</p><p>The findings of this case study implied that both organisations have positive effects on reducing poverty among its members, but BRAC has the broadest view seeing to all factors investigated and therefore its approach is the best to use. Nevertheless, as previous studies have implied sustainability and cost-effectiveness within the microfinance programme is important for the long-run poverty reduction. Evaluating the economic performance of the two organisations Grameen Bank is more efficient in using its resources than BRAC, but Grameen Bank show a decreasing rate of efficiency while BRAC is improving significantly. With this in consideration BRAC is still showing the best poverty reducing result for its members today, but if the organisation does not find a way to improve its economical performance its actions will not be sustainable in the long run.</p>

<p>In this paper we are exploring the field of microfinance; financial services given to poor and low-income individuals who do not have access to formal financial markets. The purpose of our study is to investigate if the Credit with Education program provided by the microfinance institution RCPB in Burkina Faso has had an effect on</p><p>the participating women concerning their empowerment, knowledge about</p><p>management/micro enterprises and knowledge about child nutrition and health. We are using data from two surveys made in 2003 and 2004 by the consultant bureau Sud Consult that we are analysing in a qualitative manner in order to respond to our investigation question. This paper treats theories concerning the financial market and</p><p>the importance of education, health and women’s empowerment. We present facts about microfinance in general and in Burkina Faso in particular and we review earlier studies on the subject. Our findings suggest that the Credit with Education program has achieved to increase the women’s knowledge concerning child nutrition and</p><p>health. The program has had a smaller but still a notable effect concerning the empowerment of the women, specifically in the region of West. The program has failed to increase the knowledge of business management in the years studied. In our analysis we present suggestions of improvements of the program.</p> / <p>Dans ce dossier, nous explorons le domaine de la microfinance ; des services financiers destinés aux populations pauvres et aux individus aux revenus modestes qui n’ont pas accès aux marchés financiers. Le but de notre étude est d’examiner si le crédit avec éducation fournis par l’institution finansière RCPB au Burkina Faso, a eu des répercussions sur la prise de participation des femmes en ce qui concerne leur indépendence, leur connaissance du management/ PME et leur connaissance en matière de nutrition et de santé infantille. Nous utilisons les données de deux études menées en 2003 et 2004 par le cabinet de consulting Sud Consult que nous analysons qualitativement afin de répondre à notre question d’investigation. Ce dossier est basé</p><p>sur les théories concernant le marché financier, l’importance de l’éducation de la santé et de l’indépendance des femmes. Nous abordons les faits du points de vue de la microfinance en général et du Burkina Faso en particulier et nous examinons des études réalisées précedement traitant du même sujet. Nos résultats montrent que le crédit avec l’éducation ont largement participé à l’amélioration des connaissances des femmes en matiéres de nutrition et de santé infantile. Le programme a eu une influence plus modeste sur leur indépendence, particulièrement dans la région de l’ouest. Le programme n’a cependant pas réussi à améliorer leur connaissance du management durant la période analysée. Dans notre analyse nous présentons des propositions d’amélioration pour le programme.</p>