Project Abstract

Abstract
The Evaluation of UGA Micro project aims to assess the impact and effectiveness of implementing the UGA Micro program in the local community. UGA Micro is a financial inclusion initiative that provides small loans to micro-entrepreneurs in underserved areas to support their business development and economic empowerment. The evaluation will focus on various aspects of the program, including its reach, financial performance, social impact, and sustainability. The evaluation will utilize a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis with qualitative insights gathered through interviews and focus group discussions with program participants, staff, and key stakeholders. Quantitative analysis will involve assessing the financial performance of the program, including repayment rates, profitability, and cost efficiency. This analysis will help determine the overall financial sustainability of UGA Micro and its ability to continue providing financial services to the target population in the long term. Qualitative data collection will focus on understanding the social impact of UGA Micro on the lives of micro-entrepreneurs and their communities. Interviews and focus group discussions will explore the changes in income levels, business growth, and overall well-being of program participants since joining UGA Micro. Additionally, qualitative data will be used to assess the challenges faced by participants in accessing and utilizing the financial services provided by UGA Micro, as well as the perceived benefits and limitations of the program. The evaluation will also consider the scalability and replicability of the UGA Micro model in other similar contexts. By examining the key success factors and challenges faced during the implementation of the program, the evaluation will provide recommendations for improving and expanding UGA Micro to reach a larger number of micro-entrepreneurs in need of financial support. Overall, the Evaluation of UGA Micro project will contribute valuable insights into the effectiveness and impact of microfinance programs in promoting financial inclusion and economic development at the grassroots level. The findings of this evaluation will inform policy decisions and program design to enhance the sustainability and reach of financial inclusion initiatives like UGA Micro, ultimately benefiting micro-entrepreneurs and communities in underserved areas.

Project Overview

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDYThe history of micro financing can be traced back as long to the middle of the 1800s when the theorist by sander spooner was writing over the benefits from small credits to entrepreneurs and farmers as a way getting the people out of poverty. But it was at the end of world war II with Marshall plan the concept had an big impact. The today use of the expression micro financing has it roots in the 1970s when organizations, such as Grammeer Bank of Bangladesh with the micro finance pioneer Mohammad Yunus, where starting and shaping the modern industry of micro financing (Wikipedia 2015).In United states, micro finance institutions was developed in 1980s. They served low income and marginalized minority communities. By 2007, there were 500 micro finance organizations operating in the US with 200 lending capital (Wikipedia 2015).In Africa the first credit union in Africa was established in Northern Ghana in 1955 by Canadian Catholic missionaries. However, susu, which is one of the micro finance schemes in Ghana, is thought to have originated from Nigeria and spread to Ghana in the early twentieth century In Nigeria micro finance banking came into being in 2005 with the launching of the micro finance policy by the former CBN governor Professor Chukwuma Soludo. The policy was influenced by the globally acclaimed impact of micro finance in helping the economically active poor to exit the poverty threshold and thus leading to significant poverty reduction. Hence micro finance banking was introduced with the expectation that over time, it would in reducing poverty in the country (Ngutor Nyor, 2013).In Anambra state, micro finance banking came into existence following the 2005 government policy which leads to the conversion of community banks to micro finance bank so many banks were given provisional approval while others were given final license (Chukwuma 2007).In Uga micro finance bank came as a result of 2005 policy so Uga community bank was converted to Microfinance bank with provisional approval (Umunne, 2009).1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMSDespite the importance of micro finance bank to the community, there has been complaint form both staff and customers regarding to1. The location2. The design3. Space1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVESThe aim of this study is o evaluate the location design and space of Uga micro finance bank building.OBJECTIVES1. To determine a suitable location for Uga micro finance bank building.2. To re-design Uga micro finance bank building.3 to create comfortable spaces in Uga micro finance bank.1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONSi Is Uga micro finance bank properly located?ii Does the design of Uga micro finance bank functional?iii Does the spaces inside Uga micro finance bank comfortable ?1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDYThe finding of this study will significantly contribute to the re-designing of Uga Micro finance bank. The study will also provide a suitable location for easy access for staff and customers. The study will provide a comfortable and ventilated spaces in Uga micro finance bank1.6 SCOPE OF THE STUDYThis study is made to evaluate the location, design and space of Uga micro finance bank. It covered only micro finance bank not Akpo micro finance bank.1.7 LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY1. Poor attention was given to the researcher because the bank were having their annul supervision by the federal government.2. Staff and customers list were not easily provided.3. Most customers did not return their questionnaire.