Popular Economy Building

Results achieved as of the end of project (June 2013) include: (1) six credit unions have been implemented in the Niayes region counting 19 468 members including 64 % of women as of 2008 (exceeding the total number of members planned of 15 756 with 40 % of women). In 2008 these unions have achieved financial independence with 105 % exceeding the percentage planned of 75 %; (2) a review of management practices was conducted for Kolda credit unions including the development and validation of procedures manuals; (3) recruitment activities and staff training were also conducted allowing Niayes’ credit unions to improve their range of financial services; (4) the project has also supported the research and development of new products and services tailored to the needs of small farmers; and (5) finally the project has strengthened the capacity of Senegal’s National Coordinating Committee and the professional association of savings and credit microfinance institutions to help to implement Senegal’s Microfinance Sector Policy Letter. These results have contributed to improve access to and diversification of financial services in the Kolda and Niayes regions for more than 20 000 Senegalese especially women.