Course Summary
In recent decades microfinance - the provision of small-scale financial services to lower-income households in developing countries - has become a major development strategy, attracting substantial donor support. More recently, social and micro enterprise strategies have also gained significant traction.
This course introduces the principles and practices of these approaches and examines key contemporary issues and debates. Topics covered include models and methodologies, targeting and outreach, impacts on poverty and the 'empowerment' of women, and the social and micro enterprise sectors in developing countries. Also examined is the controversial possibility of a trade-off between ensuring that these programs are financially sustainable while maintaining a focus on the poorest clients.