Microcredit Services to Reduce Vulnerabilities in Italy: An Exploratory Study Using Focus Groups

The development and promotion of microfinance services has been viewed as a key policy program intervention for poverty reduction bottom up economic social local development. This study aims to analyze critically the role microcredit in Italy tool facilitate credit access vulnerable people help them establish or expand business. Using focus groups, research analyses mechanisms through which involvement operations results positive (and negative) effects on people’s lives. During group discussion, emerges instrument representing great opportunity allow find form employment, respect human rights. seems be even more important young migrants way become independent economically, start playing new society. However, initial support following assistance during loan term emerge fundamental elements success microloans, not only most borrowers. These suggest that effective policies should provision non-financial along with microcredit.