434 research outputs found
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Microcredit programmes: Methods for solving dilemmas of credit expansion
Get PDFProviding credits seems to be an effective tool for improving the welfare of the poor. It is expected that microcredit funding to poor people will expand rapidly over the coming years. If a sound monitoring mechanism is not developed, Wiig argues that such a credit expansion may create unintended negative effects.
Based on a Grameen Bank study, three problems or dilemmas related to credit expansion are analysed: (i) Does a larger supply of microcredit increase the possibility of cross-financing? (ii)
Does capital deepening tend to favour the best ("richest") of the poor? (iii) Does economic success lead to poor repayment behaviour?
Survey methods revealing the extent of these problems are presented. It is argued that some of these methods should be replicated by the implementing agencies to improve the effectiveness of credit provision to the poor
NGOs in Conflict - an Evaluation of International Alert
Get PDFThis report is an evaluation of International Alert (IA), a London-based international NGO which works to prevent and resolve conflict through fieldwork and advocacy activities in different parts of the world. The report argues that IA’s main achievements have been (a) to inspire the entry of NGOs into the area of conflict resolution, and (b) to contribute to the development of local peace constituencies in different countries. While IA’s fields programme in Burundi is being commended, a number of critical comments are made regarding IA interventions in Sri Lanka and Sierra Leone. Based on their findings, the evaluators advise against IA defining mediation as its particular niche. Recommendations are being made regarding areas which are important for IA to consider when developing a strategic plan for the future.
Gunnar M. Sørbø is the Director of Chr. Michelsen Institute
Joanna Macrae is a Research Fellow at the Overseas Development Institute, London
Lennart Wohlgemuth is the Director of Nordiska Afrikainstitutet, Uppsal
Social Action and Microcredit Funds in Malawi: A Pilot Study
Get PDFThis study forms part of the output of a consultancy on Social Development Funds in Zimbabwe and Malawi commissioned from Chr. Michelsen Institute by the African Development Bank. It describes, analyses and evaluates selected microprojects and microcredit schemes in Malawi from the perspective of Social Dimensions of Adjustment programming and poverty alleviation objectives. The study assesses the context and dimensions of poverty in Malawi, especially in its Poverty Alleviation Programme, in particular community based and microcredit components. It evaluates the design, implementation and performance of four recent microcredit schemes: the UNDP pilot microenterprise programme, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Fund, microenterprise projects funded under the SDA pilot programme and the Malawi Mudzi Fund; and concludes with recommendations on possible forms of follow-up interventions by the ADB. Richard Moorsom is a historian and development policy researcher specialising on Namibia and southern Africa. A member of CMI's research staff since 1989, he is currently on leave of absence working as a research historian for the Waitangi Tribunal, Wellington, New Zealand. BMG Ltd., recently renamed Imani
Development (Malawi), is one of Malawi's leading business and development consultancy firms. In recent years it has undertaken a wide range of assignments for the government and donor agencies, one area of focus being social policy and poverty issues
Evaluation of the Social Development Fund in Zimbabwe: A Pilot Study
Get PDFThis study, which was commissioned from Chr. Michelsen Institute, Bergen, by the African Development Bank (ADB), contains the findings and recommendations of an evaluation of the Social Development Fund (SDF) in Zimbabwe over 1990-95, the period of the Economic Structural Adjustment Programme. The study reviews the initial SDF programme design and the mandate of the SDF. It evaluates the performance first of the social welfare and other non-lending components of the SDF programme, then of the small enterprise lending and training components of the SDF. It proceeds to review the design of the more broadly conceived Poverty Alleviation Action Plan, its relationship with the SDF during the programme period and future options for its integration with the SDF. The study concludes with an assessment of the available options for the future development of the SDF's welfare and credit programmes; and recommendations on possible forms of follow-up intervention by the ADB.
Richard Moorsom is a historian policy researcher specialising on Namibia and southern Africa. A member of CMI's research staff since 1989, he is currently on leave of absence working as a research historian for the Waitangi Tribunal, Wellington, New Zealand.
Dr. Lloyd Sachikonye is a senior researcher at the Institute of Development Studies, University of Zimbabwe, Harare. The social and political dimensions of structural adjustment in Zimbabwe have formed a particular focus of his work, which includes a recent study of industrial restructuring and labour
Population and Environment Relationships in Developing Countries: A Select Review of Approaches and Methods
Get PDFA diversity of opinion, theory, and conceptual approaches characterizes discussion of population and environment relationships among social scientists. This review captures some of this diversity by considering several of the more common perspectives which have been taken towards the topic. On this basis, a series of general recommendations regarding future research are made. The review also results in the conc1usion that, for the near future, the "bottom-up" approach of micro-level study rather than the "trickle-down" approach of macro-level study, should be the driving force in social science research on population and environment relationships
Mountain protected areas in Northern Pakistan: the case of Khunjerab National Park
Get PDFThis paper discusses recent conversation efforts in Northern Pakistan and the relevance of national parks as legal instruments in nature and wildlife conservation. Employing an extensive case study approach the paper analyses the problems afflicting the Khunjerab National Park and discusses why the World Conservation Union (IUCN) disregarded its own policy guidelines for mountain protected areas. The paper advocates a more democratic and pragmatic approach to nature conservation and argues that national parks as traditionally conceived impose heavy burdens on local people. Despite increasing criticism of national parks, they continue to be implemented often for no other reason than the high conservationist profile this alternative offers
Economic Analysis of Land Degradation in Indonesian Upland
Get PDFThe objective of this research is to determine factors affecting land degradation in the upland in Indonesia, and to suggest appropriate policies regarding land-use. The regression results indicate that about half of the variance in land degradation in the regional data set is explained by the variation in cropping intensity, population pressure, income per capita, transmigration, and conditioning variables. Sensitivity analysis shows that the variables for population pressure and income per capita in both data sets, and transmigration in the provincial data set are robust in explaining variation in land degradation. The results of this study could be taken as a signal to reevaluate the rice self-sufficiency policy. Efforts to increase the productivity of rice should not always be interpreted as an expansion of rice area, especially for some marginal land outside Java. Several policy recommendations are suggested by the analysis: (a) reduce intensive land-use practices, (b) reduce population pressure, and (c) promote a strategy to raise income
Eneweyay (Let's Discuss). Report from a training programme for democracy in rural Ethiopia
Get PDFReport of a project to teach principles of democracy in a "down-to-earth" way, through discussions with rural and urban people in Ethiopia. The "Ecumenical Training Initiative for Democracy" developed before the elections of 1995 out of an attempt of European church aid organisations to contribute to confidence building through voter training and election monitoring. Responding to felt needs, it developed a unique teaching material, and started to train trainers in different rural areas, who continue to go to the villages and urban neighbourhoods, to engage people in discussions about the ways how they make decisions in their everyday life and who is participating, and how they safeguard the rights of social minorities and of the underprivileged among themselves
Deforestation and entrepreneurship in the North West Frontier Province, Pakistan
Get PDFDeforestation is a global environmental concern, but the underlying processes vary across regions and countries. In Pakistan the threat to forests and biodiversity does not come primarily from local farmers, but from unsustainable commercial logging. Employing an actor-oriented approach, the paper focuses on private timber merchants (forest contractors) acting as intermediaries between the provincial bureaucracy and local forest owners. Loopholes in the forest legislation, combined with weaknesses in the organization of forest harvesting, have enabled contractors to prosper. Forest contractors have detailed knowledge of weaknesses in the forest legislation and know the sentiments, needs and demands of local people. By combining such insights contractors turn their middleman position into a profitable enterprise, thereby contributing to increased pressure on remaining forest resources
CMI Bibliography 1965-1995
Get PDFThis is a bibliography listing the works of researchers at Chr. Michelsen Institute during the period 1965-1995. It aims to cover all publications with the exception of artic1es in newspapers.
Hilde Brekke is currently working as head of the news archive in TV2, but was employed as a librarian at CMI until November 1992.
Hilde E. Sperrevik is librarian at the Institute. She has been working at the CMI library since November 1992