Author Description

This paper stems from an evaluation of Turkey's first microcredit project aimed specifically at women, which was carried out with data derived through the Foundation for the Support of Women's Work (FFSW)'s Management Information System (which tracks credit users and repayment performance), application forms from women who applied for and received microcredit, records of meetings, and interviews with 27 of the 90 women who received microcredit. It tells the story of how FSWW created the idea of developing a microcredit project; describes project management, goals, and geographic areas involved in the project; profiles the project participants; and explains why the women need loans, what they spend them on, and how they cope with running a household and a business at the same time. Clear benefits from and barriers to the project are analyzed. The paper concludes by addressing these topics: some of the issues women face; outcomes for FSWW; what has been learned; what the FSWW experience can offer others in the field; and the future direction of FSWW in the field of microcredit. Appendices contain a list of project landmark dates and data tables. (KC)