This study was conducted to explore the experiences of Village Savings and Credit Associations (VSCAs) initiated by the PPSSP in strengthening the socio-economic power of their members. To achieve this objective, a mixed research methodology was implemented. Simple random sampling was used to select research subjects. Quantitatively, 198 people responded to our questions, and qualitatively, we were limited by saturation.
After analysis, the study revealed the following:
- The credits obtained by AVEC have enabled members to increase their income. These incomes are increased by the benefits derived from the creation of individual and/or group IGAs.
- AVEC facilitates the economic and social empowerment of its members and improves their living conditions in their households and communities.
- The analysis of the socio-economic empowerment of members of AVEC initiated by the PPSSP is based on: (i) the motivation to join, despite the socio-demographic characteristics of the members, (ii) the purchase of more than one share by members (95.96%), (iii) access to credit by members (68.18%), (iv) the reason for the loan oriented towards the creation of individual (82.32%) or group (30.30%) IGAs, (v) the income from IGAs earned individually or in groups, (vi) the members’ perception of the AVEC and the positive social representation of the communities with regard to AVEC activities.
- The results also showed that the loans obtained facilitated the creation of other new income-generating activities in the communities, and strengthened social cohesion between AVEC members and their families.
In the light of these results, we can conclude that it is essential to promote these initiatives in rural communities in order to strengthen the socio-economic power of the population.