Microfinance: An Alternative Tool for Alleviating Roma Poverty in the Marginalized Regions Cover Image

Mikrofinancie ako alternatívny nástroj na riešenie problému chudoby rómskeho obyvateľstva v marginalizovaných regiónoch
Microfinance: An Alternative Tool for Alleviating Roma Poverty in the Marginalized Regions

Author(s): Tomáš Želinský
Subject(s): Social Sciences
Published by: Sociologický ústav - Slovenská akadémia vied
Keywords: Microfinance; microsavings; poverty; conditional cash transfers; Roma population; Eastern Slovakia

Summary/Abstract: Microfinance: An Alternative Tool for Alleviating Roma Poverty in the Marginalized Regions. There is a gap in the microfinance literature on microsavings as a form of microfinance; and their impact on clients, microenterprises, households, communities, and financial institutions. Microfinance arises as a new tool in developing as well as developed countries. It is widely known since the 1970’s and often connected with the name of Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus. The aim of the paper is to analyze effects of microsavings programs on well-being of poor households participating in microsavings program in Eastern Slovakia. According to the results active and successful clients perceive positive change in level of their household management and they perceive their ability to manage household better than unsuccessful clients. Furthermore, active and successful clients perceive positive subjective change in quality of living and they perceive higher level of overall quality of living than unsuccessful clients. Based on a sample of 112 households from three towns (Ostrovany, Stará Ľubovňa and Moldava nad Bodvou) subjective perception and objective change in well-being of households are assessed and it is argued that the programs have positive effects on poverty and contribute to poverty alleviation. Sociológia 2011, Vol. 43 (No. 1: 57-88)

  • Issue Year: 43/2011
  • Issue No: 1
  • Page Range: 57-88
  • Page Count: 31
  • Language: Slovak
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