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Purpose– The purpose of this paper is to examine key factors affecting the economic involvement of women in Bangladesh and women's involvement with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) particularly in microcredit operating in that country.Design/methodology/approach– The study uses nationally representative data set. Quantitative analysis was utilised to explore data contained in the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Surveys 2007 and 2011.Findings– The findings indicate that age, marital status, number of children living in the household, place of residence, geographical location, education, partner's education and the wealth index are important factors in enabling women's involvement in economic activities. In other words, the key findings emerged from the study are first, the low level of women's economic activities in Bangladesh with a majority involved in farming, agriculture and poultry; second, those women involved in the labour market generally tended to come from poor backgrounds, have very little education, live in the Northwest geographical region and have a large family living in the same house; and finally, age, currently married, having a higher number of children, living in rural areas, from the Northwest region with almost no education and belonging to the poor wealth index quintile are found to be associated more with NGO activities in Bangladesh.Social implications– The findings indicate there are potential barriers that are preventing Bangladeshi women from engaging in the labour market that could reinforce the case for reshaping the government's labour policies. The study reveals that the recent economic crisis has no significant impact on the women labour force participation as well their involvement in NGO activities in Bangladesh. It is generally understood that enhancing women's economic participation and NGO activities has a positive impact at family, community and country levels. The study concludes that investing in women, particularly in creating employment opportunities including NGO sectors can help the country as a safeguard even during the economic crisis. It is anticipated that the findings will help policy-makers in enhancing female labour force participation as well as encouraging them to engage in NGO activities in Bangladesh.Originality/value– The research paper is original in terms of conceptual framework, research design and statistical analysis.

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore the factors that determine non-farm enterprise revenue and to empirically test the association between access to credit, credit source and firm performance among poor entrepreneurs in rural Bangladesh.Design/methodology/approachUsing a Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies and World Bank survey from over 1,700 households in rural Bangladesh, a panel data model is used to control for unobserved heterogeneity among households and explore the determinants of non-farm revenue.FindingsThe findings suggest that village infrastructure and household labor assets have a positive impact on enterprise development. The findings reveal that the use of rural credit as a production input is important in augmenting revenue for the non-farm enterprise, but there are differential effects by credit source.Research limitations/implicationsBecause the study uses data from a quasi-experimental survey design, unobserved effects that can bias the results must be controlled for. Also, as credit program impacts can be location-specific, caution in generalizing the results of this study must be exercised.Practical implicationsThis study provides evidence on the positive effects of microcredit, family assets and family social capital on economic outcomes and microenterprise growth for poor entrepreneurial households. If enterprise growth is important for development, greater understanding of the determinants of microenterprise performance and the role of credit in the success of microfirms is beneficial for policymakers and the institutions that finance small-scale production.Social implicationsIf it is agreed that entrepreneurship is important in promoting development, self-sufficiency and positive economic outcomes (Yunus, 2007), then credit program design should focus on both the credit needs of the poor and the dynamics inherent in enterprise development for this group of entrepreneurs.Originality/valueThis paper expands the limited literature on the determinants of microenterprise growth and the role of credit in microenterprise development by tracing a positive link between village infrastructure, family demographics and access to credit. The identification of the factors that determine non-farm enterprise revenue is important for policymakers because enterprise growth is perceived as essential for economic development.

The reality of contemporary urban contexts, both in large than in small towns, is going through a phase of radical, irreversible and progressive change. Social processes, not predictable and even less governable, produce estrangement, alienation, marginalization and disorientation, undermining one of the fundamental relational goods of the human community: Mental Health. We still valid the Therapeutic Community, understanding as methodology, however, not as residential care, but as specific professional intervention where, who suffers from a condition of existential suffering (whatever that is) and who work to care for, are not left alone but immersed in a relational network that passes through and transforms them. The exclusion from bank credit to the condition of poverty and/or precariousness causes, seems to affect tragically participatory and community processes; negatively influencing the community development. Microcredit could therefore be a useful intervention device to act either on the psychological development of individuals as well as economic development of communities.Keywords: Community-Based Psychotherapy, Relational Goods, Social Capital ; La realtà dei contesti urbani contemporanei, sia nei grandi che nei piccoli centri abitati, sta attraversando una fase di mutamento radicale, irreversibile e progressivo. Processi sociali poco governabili ed ancora meno prevedibili producono estraneità, alienazione, emarginazione e spaesamento, mettendo a rischio uno dei beni relazionali fondanti la comunità umana: la Salute Mentale. Riteniamo ancora valida la metodologia della Comunità Terapeutica intesa, però, non come struttura residenziale sanitaria, ma come specifico intervento professionale in cui, colui che soffre una condizione di disagio esistenziale (qualunque essa sia) e colui che opera per prendersene cura, non sono lasciati soli, ma immersi in una rete relazionale che li attraversa e che li trasforma. L'esclusione dal credito bancario che la condizione di povertà e/o di precarietà determina, sembra ad esempio compromettere tragicamente i processi partecipativi e comunitari; influenzando negativamente anche lo sviluppo delle comunità di appartenenza. Il Microcredito potrebbe quindi rappresentare un dispositivo di intervento utile ad intervenire sia sullo sviluppo psicologico degli individui che su quello economico delle comunità.Keywords: Psicoterapia di Comunità, Beni Relazionali, Capitale Sociale, Community-Based Psychotherapy, Relational Goods, Social Capital

With financial inclusion emerging as a major policy objective in India, the abolition of the rural –urban divide and the inclusive growth of citizens of India can be achieved by providing finance to people when they require it. Among the policies related to poverty reduction, microfinance and microcredit programmes occupy a central position. Rural microfinance has occupied center stage as a channel for extending financial services to unbanked segments of the population. The objective of offering women the access to microfinance services is that gender inequalities inhibit economic growth and development. There is a growing appreciation of the "empowerment" dimension of finance, as it can give ordinary people and the poor access to opportunity. As for the whole of India, and therefore in J&K, the concept of inclusiveness goes beyond the conventional objective of reduction in poverty to encompass equality of opportunity for all, as well as economic and social mobility for all with favorable action for minorities and women through promoting entrepreneurship. There must be equality of opportunity to all with freedom and dignity, and without social or political obstacles. This must be accompanied by an improvement in the opportunities for economic and social advancement. Micro finance in J&K is still in its initial stage. With J&K in the lowest position of microfinance penetration intensity, measures have to be taken to increase this level of penetration for a better economic scenario. Efforts towards reduction in social and economic disparities can work as a prospective catalyst for the smooth transition of J&K into an economically better state. In particular the females in J&K should also be provided special opportunities for developing their skills, building social & human capital through increase of intangible assets like self respect, self esteem, self confidence, trust and positive attitude change & thus ensuring inclusive growth. The emphasis of this paper is that microfinance needs to be designed not as an economic model but as a holistic approach towards the growth of J&K.

Worldwide, 1.3 billion people are living in extreme poverty. Most of them are women. The international community has thus come to realize in recent years that political, economic, and cultural discrimination against women constitutes a central obstacle to social development. New policy guidelines of bi- and multilateral donors affirm that poverty reduction programs can succeed only if they take into consideration the existing social inequality between men and women. At present the concern is therefore a twofold one: to ensure that women have access to resources and rights and to initiate measures aimed at overcoming structural discrimination. The paper examines the extent to which the National Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) called for in connection with the enhanced debt initiative are in line with this demand and contain an integrated gender perspective. Involvement of poor, politically underrepresented groups in the PRSP process is intended to ensure that the current poverty-reduction programs take account of their interests. Women's organizations are also participating in these processes. There is, however, for the most part no systematic inclusion of women's positions. One factor that constitutes an essential obstacle to the development of long-term strategies to reduce women's poverty is a lack of data broken down and analyzed in gender-specific terms. Poverty profiles and indicators are generally limited to the access rate of girls and women to basic education. Thus far no success has been met with in integrating a gender-specific perspective into the poverty strategy's macroeconomic framework. The PRSP process takes no consideration of the social impacts on women of conventional stabilization and privatization measures. Measures aimed at improving the economic situation of women are largely limited to the provision of microcredit. In the PRSP implementation process in particular, the bilateral donors sought to devote more effort to integrating cross-sectoral issues like promotion of gender equity. The policy dialogue with governmental and nongovernmental actors ought to be used to link the gender issue with macroeconomics, promotion of democracy (participation), and the coherence of sectoral policies.

RUSEP is the latest attempt by the federal government of Nigeria to alleviate poverty through the transfer of market-driven agricultural technology to farmers and the commercialization of agriculture in selected states in Nigeria. Through this project, employment will be generated through enhanced agricultural enterprises. Abia state in the southeast was chosen as one of the pilot states. The needs assessment study provides information on existing and available improved technologies and level of commercialization of agriculture in the rural communities. The constraints to commercialization and adoption of market-driven technologies were identified and recommendations were made towards the effective implementation of the project. The project will be useful in the implementation of the pilot project which has a lifespan of 18 months. Yam, cassava, rice and plantain were selected as priority major crops, taking into consideration their potential adaptability to commercial processing capability, socioeconomic and cultural significance, as well as their comparative advantage in terms of production and consumption in various processed forms. Yam and plantain flour were found to be the most profitable processed products for the study area. Plantain and cooking banana flour were new, emerging products with a high future market-driven potential. Similarly, certain criteria were also used to select the sites, namely Bende local government area (LGA) and Ukwa East or West LGA. Yam and rice are produced mostly in BendeLGA while plantain and cooking banana are produced in Ukwa east and West LGS. Although all the crops selected are widely grown with improved varieties, there would be an added value, if the farmers or group of farmers were able to process their produce. Consequently, emphasis is placed on processing in the report. Presently, gaps exist in the production of various agricultural technologies, such as in miniset seed yam, agrochemicals, and fertilizers. There is a weak amphasis on the dissemination of processing technologies; poor linkages exist between farmers and various stakeholders in the farming enterprise, there is policy instability and inadequate institutional support, as well as lack of market opportunities, and infrastructure, microcredit and credit support facilities. ; United States Agency for International Development

What has been done? Government intervention in marketing and the major production areas has been increasing since independence in 1960, through the early 1970s. From 1973 to 1977, state-run companies controlled all downstream marketing activities. From 1980 to 1990, the government gradually withdrew. Structural adjustment policies were accompanied by the rehabilitation of irrigation systems, which came under the management of water user associations. During the 2000s, policies aimed at increasing domestic supply through production support and regulation of urban supply through imports. How has it been implemented? Until the late 70s, government intervention took the form of land development corporations in two of the main rice production areas. The government also intervened through parastatals, which had a monopoly over the purchase and distribution of rice, and set prices for both producers and consumers. After liberalization, state intervention focused on setting import levies (with rates ranging from 30% to 0%) and ad hoc initiatives like facilitating imports during crises. Efforts to increase production included investment in irrigation infrastructure (rehabilitation), intensification incentives based on access to inputs (such as recent efforts to encourage off-season rice), and incentives to expand rainfed production through access to mechanization. Microcredit has also expanded significantly, to finance production and storage. Starting in 2005, the government implemented two innovative instruments to improve the management of the sector: an observatory and a consultative mechanism to encourage dialogue between the government and industry players. What were the effects? The centralizing policies of the 70s completely destroyed marketing channels and producers' interest in the market. Availability per capita fell (from 200 kg to 125 kg/per capita between 1970 and 2000) and imports increased. Since 2002, production levels have shown a marked increase, and starting in 2005, fluctuations in consumer prices stabilized, despite a troubled national and international context. What recommendations could be derived? The period of total government control was catastrophic the recover long. The recent positive developments in the rice sector are partly the fruit of production support and infrastructure development efforts (irrigation and transportation), and partly due to a new form of governance that relies on wellinformed decision-makers and public-private coordination. However, multi-stakeholder dialogue has not eliminated the unequal balance of power: measures (including price stabilization) are taken more in the interest of urban consumers than the protection of producers. (Texte intégral)

Purchasing power increase, improvement of living conditions and health funding of vulnerable people in African urban areas: the case of the health zone of Bandalungwa, Kinshasa (Congo) Through a survey, the study analyses the living improvement possibilities for microentrepreneurs, by the improvement of their purchasing power through microcredits provided by the Programme National d'Appui à la Protection Sociale (PNPS), in the health zone of Bandalungwa (Kinshasa). The credits were affected to wheat flour, starches, fresh food, fruits and vegetables, small restoration, smoked fish, clothing, electronic devices. Main results suggest that 68% of the microentrepreneurs financed by the program have declared improved living conditions. This improvement was associated to access to health care, children schooling, household's access to food, loan reimbursement, and rent payment. The bivariate analysis has shown that those who had invested the whole credit in the funded activity experienced living improvement. To help vulnerable people in increasing their purchasing power, the loans should be linked to projects that are helpful to the households, and avoid that households use the credit in unsuitable ways, which could maintain them in a high level of debt. ; Résumé Cette étude analyse les possibilités d'amélioration des conditions de vie des micro-entrepreneurs en augmentant leur pouvoir d'achat par le micro-crédit octroyé par le Programme National d'Appui à la Protection Sociale (PNPS), dans la zone de santé de Bandalungwa à Kinshasa, Congo, par une enquête exhaustive en 2008. Les prêts obtenus ont été investis dans : la farine de blé ou de froment (37,5%), les féculents (20,3%), les vivres frais (15,6%), les fruits et/ou légumes (14,1%), la petite restauration (6,3%), les poissons fumés et/ou salés (3,1%), la friperie (1,6%) et les matériaux électriques (1,6%). Les principaux résultats de cette étude ont montré que 68,8% des vendeuses financées ont déclaré une augmentation de leur pouvoir d'achat. Les micro-entrepreneurs qui ont déclaré avoir amélioré leurs conditions de vie ont associé cela à l'amélioration de leur accès aux soins de santé (86,4%), à la scolarisation de leurs enfants (54,6%), à l'approvisionnement de leur ménage en nourriture (40,9%), au remboursement de dettes contractées auprès de tiers (22,7%) et au paiement de loyer (18,2%) (p=0,003). L'analyse bivariée a montré que ceux qui ont investi l'intégralité du prêt dans le capital de l'activité financée ont vu leur pouvoir d'achat augmenter (65,6%) (OR=3,7). En l'absence d'une protection sociale adéquate, l'octroi de prêts permet aux individus et aux ménages de se prémunir contre les risques : les crédits servent au fonds de roulement de l'activité, à financer le capital humain et social ainsi qu'à la gestion de la trésorerie pour l'amélioration des conditions de vie. ; Peer reviewed

This technical paper presents the findings of the FAO Regional Technical Cooperation Project TCP/RAS/3203 (D) 'Reducing the dependence on the utilization of trash fish/low-value fish as feed for aquaculture of marine finfish in the Asian Region,' which was implemented between 1 August 2008 and 31 July 2011 in China, Indonesia, Thailand and Viet Nam. It comprises the results of the project components, namely, farmers' participatory on-farm trials and a concurrent survey of farmers' perceptions concerning the use of two feed types and microcredit, environmental impact assessments of the use of both feed types, and a survey and analysis of the potential impacts of a change to pellet feeds on the livelihood prospects of fishers and suppliers of trash fish/low-value fish. An assessment of changes in the perceptions of farmers before and after the farm trials was undertaken, and a final regional stakeholders' workshop was conducted after the completion of all the project components. Incorporated in the relevant parts of the report are the findings of a follow-up mission conducted 16 months after the end of the project. This mission was designed to confirm the findings, and assess further activities in line with the recommendations made at the final regional stakeholders' workshop. There were indications of the clear benefits to farmers as well as to the environment of adopting pellet feeds. Some indicators were not statistically significant, but present opportunities for addressing the constraints to the farmers' adoption of pellet feeds. A dominant finding was that the technical and economic performance from pellet feeds can be considerably enhanced by improving feed management, which was not a common attribute among the trial farmers. Furthermore, overall farm performance, whichever feed type was used, could be improved by introducing better management practices. The environmental impact assessments on the use of the two feed types suggested that good feed management and overall farming practices, and improving the quality of trash fish/low-value fish or pellets reduce the impacts of feed on the water beneath and around the culture sites. In addition, a good culture site where the carrying capacity is not stressed by aquaculture and non-aquaculture activities will considerably reduce the mortality risks from biotic and abiotic hazards. The technical and economic findings of the study were noted by the farmers, and contributed to the changes in their attitudes ...

Women's empowerment is a critical concern in developing countries. There are many attempts to address this issue, due to the realisation that the aims of development and poverty reduction cannot be effective without attention to women and improving their role in society. Over the decades, microfinance has emerged as a powerful tool not only to address poverty and development issues but specifically to empower women. Because of this, much international literature focuses on the relationships between microfinance and women's empowerment. However, in the context of Lao PDR, the research is very limited. Therefore, the purpose of this research is to investigate the role of microfinance in women's empowerment in Lao PDR. A qualitative methodology was employed in this research, using both primary and secondary data. The primary data was collected through an individual interview with six participants who worked for either the Bank of Lao PDR or for the Lao Women's Union. The secondary data was collected from the Vientiane Times newspaper, a press agency of the government in Lao PDR. All the data were subjected to a Directed Qualitative Content Analysis (DQlCA). Kabeer's women's empowerment framework was adopted as a theoretical framework to analyse women's empowerment. The empirical findings provide a unique insight into attempts by the government of Lao PDR through the Bank of Lao PDR and Lao Women's Union to implement microfinance initiatives to combat poverty and empower women. This was achieved through analysis of primary data from the preeminent governmental organisations involved in the administration of microfinance activities in Lao PDR. Even though the findings cannot provide a comprehensive and conclusive answer as to the extent that microfinance might help empower women, it provides insight into the important role of the Bank of Lao PDR and Lao Women's Union in helping Lao women to access microfinance including microcredit and micro-saving, which are perceived to be important enablers for empowerment. However, other forms of resources that are no less important to empowerment were also found. These resources are networks, education and jobs. The findings further shed light on the constraints facing women's empowerment, including cultural issues, gender inequality and gender pay gaps. Therefore, it can be concluded that in the context of Lao PDR, microfinance alone may not automatically lead to empowerment, but education, knowledge, networks, jobs and cultural norms are also important factors that can determine the success or failure of the empowerment approach.

В статті розглядається стан та перспективи розвитку системи кредитування суб'єктів господарювання аграрної галузі. В результаті дослідження виявлено, що доступ сільськогосподарських товаровиробників, особливо фермерських господарств, до кредитних ресурсів є обмеженим внаслідок незначних обсягів виробництва ними продукції та відсутності кредитної історії. Внаслідок цього виникає нагальні проблема в запровадженні мікрокредитування фермерів, чого можна досягти виключно через створення кредитних сільськогосподарських кооперативів. На основі результатів дослідження авторами запропоновані розробка та запровадження державних програм кредитної підтримки суб'єктів аграрного виробництва. Крім того, в результаті проведення дослідження обґрунтовано необхідність створення в Україні державного аграрного банку, завданням якого повинно бути кредитування аграрного бізнесу.Ключові слова: система кредитування, пільгові кредити, відсоткова ставка, принципи кредитування,здешевлення кредиту, державна підтримка, фінансова криза.Бечко П. К., Боровик П. Н., Колотуха С.Н., Корнега А. О. Система кредитования субъектов хозяйствования сельскохозяйственной отрасли / Уманский национальный университет садоводства, Украина, УманьВ статье рассматривается состояние и перспективы развития системы кредитования субъектов хозяйствования сельскохозяйственной отрасли. В результате проведения исследования выявлено, что доступ сельскохозяйственных товаропроизводителей, особенно фермерских хозяйств, к кредитным ресурсам является ограниченным вследствие незначительных объемов производства ими продукции и отсутствия кредитной истории. Вследствие этого возникает проблема внедрения микрокредитования фермеров, что возможно осуществить исключительно через создание кредитных сельскохозяйственных кооперативов. На основе результатов исследования авторами предложены разработка и внедрение государственных программ кредитной поддержки субъектов сельскохозяйственного производства. Кроме того, в результате проведения исследования обоснована необходимость создания в Украине государственного сельскохозяйственного банка, задачей которого должно быть кредитования сельскохозяйственного бизнеса.Ключевые слова: система кредитования, льготные кредиты, процентная ставка, принципы кредитования, удешевления кредита, государственная поддержка, финансовый кризис.Bechko P. K., Borovуk P. М., Kolotukha S.M., Cornega A. O. The system of lending to the agricultural sector management / Uman National University of Horticulture, Ukraine, UmanIn this articles considered the state and prospects of development of lending entities agricultural sector. The study found that access to agricultural producers especially farmers to credit is limited due to small production volumes of their products and the lack of credit history. As a result, there is an urgent problem in implementing microcredit farmers, which can be achieved only through the establishment of credit agricultural cooperatives. Based on the results of the study authors proposed development and implementation of government programs of credit support for agricultural production entities. In addition, as a result of the study the necessity of the establishment in Ukraine State Agricultural Bank, whose task should be lending agricultural business.Key words: credit, soft loans, interest rate, lending principles, cheaper credit, government support, financial crisis.

En México coexisten regiones con diversas condiciones climáticas, geográficas, demográficas, culturales y económicas que influyen en la calidad de vida de sus habitantes. Tal es el caso de la región semidesértica de Querétaro, donde la condición de pobreza de sus habitantes se acentúa por las características de la zona donde viven y por aspectos culturales. Ante ello, los diferentes niveles de gobierno y algunas organizaciones civiles han buscado formas de apoyo que mitiguen el nivel de pobreza y eleven la calidad de vida de la comunidad. Una de ellas ha sido apoyar el desarrollo de las actividades productivas de la región mediante el financiamiento, la capacitación, la asesoría y el seguimiento. En este contexto, se plantea la siguiente pregunta: ¿Cuál es el modelo en el otorgamiento de créditos a pequeña escala de una Sociedad de Solidaridad Social ubicada en la región semidesértica del Estado de Querétaro cuyo objetivo es ayudar a mejorar las condiciones de vida de una comunidad? ; In Mexico coexisting regions with different climate, geography, demography, culture and economy. These aspects have influence in the quality of life of its inhabitants as in the case of the semi-desert region of Querétaro, where the condition of poverty of its inhabitants is accentuated by the characteristics of their area and cultural aspects. In response, the different levels of government and civil organizations have sought ways to support those people and raise the quality of life of the community. One of them has been supporting the development of productive activities in the region through funding, training, advice and monitoring. In this context, the following question arises: What is the model in lending to small scale of a Social Solidarity Society located in the semi-desert region in the Querétaro State whose aim is to help improve the living conditions of a community?

This paper compares the loans granted to male and female entrepreneurs by a French microfinance institution (MFI). The sample period is split in two: before and after the MFI implemented France's regulatory EUR 10,000 loan ceiling. In the first period, the MFI does not co-finance projects with mainstream banks and loan size is gender-insensitive. In the second period, the MFI does co-finance above-ceiling projects with mainstream banks, and we observe a gender gap in loan size. The results suggest that co-financing leads the originally gender-neutral MFI to import disparate treatment from mainstream banks. ; info:eu-repo/semantics/published

Across the European Union, the market size of crowdfunding totals €16.9 billion with 1,231 active platforms (Chervyakov and Rocholl, 2019). However, the shares of microcredit (MC) allocated to business and personal loans are difficult to compute (European Commission, 2007a), and accessing the availability of banking industry MC is equally hard to ascertain (European Commission, 2007b). Recent efforts by the European Microfinance Network (EMN) report that between 2012 and 2017 business loans were losing ground to personal loans both in the number (60% to 41%) and the value of disbursed loans (80% to 52%) as well as in terms of active borrowers (61% to 41%) (Bendig et al. 2014; Botti et al. 2016; Diriker et al. 2018). Personal loans are thus quickly catching up with business microloans and verged on €1 billion in 2017. Based on data about Eastern European countries sourced from the online peer-to-peer (P2P) crowdfunding platform Kiva, this paper examines the relation between soft information and prosocial P2P crowdfunding performance, in particular the funding speed, both for personal and for business loans. To the best of our knowledge, this paper represents the first to identify a relationship between soft information, measured by the text length describing the loan purpose on personal and business loans, and P2P crowdfunding performance. In keeping with previous studies (e.g., Dorfleitner et al., 2019a; Dorfleitner and Oswald, 2016), we apply a censored tobit regression model to predict the speed of loan funding on Kiva, by controlling for field partner, loan, borrower, and socioeconomic-geopolitical characteristics respectively. We furthermore deployed two datasets: the Kiva P2P crowdfunding platform and the World Bank. The Kiva's dataset comprises 29,739 loans applied for between 2011 to 2018 from five European countries (two countries from the lower middle-income group: the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine, and three from the upper middle-income group: Albania, Armenia, and Georgia). This paper identifies how applying for personal loans increases the speed of funding time compared to business loans. Additionally, the results support the hypothesis of a quasi-U-shaped relationship between soft information and funding speed but applicable only to business loans. We provide new evidence on the relationship between personal versus business loans and crowdfunding performance. The resulting policy recommendations suggest P2P crowdfunding may require a greater focus on personal loans which constitute the "weakest link" in P2P lending marketplaces such as Kiva and furthermore gain less support from lenders. The results provide insights about microentrepreneurs to lenders with investing in education, skills and entrepreneurial training therefore appearing as crucial to their business success in line with thematic objective 10 (FI-Compass, 2018, 2016)