Building community capacity through group loans for minority populations in Canada

TitreBuilding community capacity through group loans for minority populations in Canada
Type de publicationThesis
Nouvelles publications2001
AuteursHorvath SL
AdvisorHarper T
Academic DepartmentEnvironmental Design (Planning)
SupprimerMaster of Environmental Design M.E.Des.
Numéro129
UniversityUniversity of Calgary (Canada)
Clé de citation: Calgary, AB
Résumé

Since 1976, microcredit has gained popularity as a tool for community economic development (CED) and poverty alleviation in countries throughout the world. Microcredit initiatives in developed countries have typically focused on achieving economic objectives. This Masters Degree Project (MDP) explores how group loan programs can be used to build community capacity within minority populations in Canada. To do so, programs must move beyond their focus on economic objectives to include community and development objectives in their program design. The MDP provides a synopsis of Canadian immigration and explores the role CED and community capacity building can play in helping minority community members integrate in Canadian society. An overview of the Canadian microcredit industry provides insight into the broad range of existing microcredit programs and their strengths and weaknesses in building community capacity. Common critiques of microcredit practice are explored to identify opportunities for learning. Six essential components of community capacity are then presented and serve as desired outcomes for a microcredit program that builds community capacity. The MDP concludes with guidelines for implementing key elements of microcredit program design in ways that build community capacity and foster integration.

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