Abstract

SALAS BAHAMON, Luz Magdalena. Financial inclusion in Colombia. Impact evaluation of the Community Savings and Credit Groups Program. Cuad. Econ. [online]. 2022, vol.41, n.87, pp.747-782.  Epub Jan 24, 2023. ISSN 0121-4772.  https://doi.org/10.15446/cuad.econ.v41n87.92849.

The study evaluates the impacts of the Village Savings and Loan Associations program, in Colombia. Using a non-experimental methodology, it compares the situation of families that participate and do not participate in the program 18 months after their exposure. Results show a greater capacity to accumulate savings, a decrease in food insecurity and a better capacity to face and mitigate unexpected shocks, among those families that participated in the program. It also finds an increase in community income-generating activities and an increased level of trust in people and a variety of institutions.

Keywords : Impact evaluation; microfinance; savings; savings groups; self-help groups; social capital.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )