| Abstract: |
This paper introduces the concepts of impact,impact analysis/assessment and
management, outlining the differences between assessment and evaluation, and
highlighting their growing importance among the international and European
communities.The second part presents underlying reasons for undertaking this
research, introducing the methodology designed and adopted by Microfinanza
which relies on indicators concerning the three dimensions, i.e. economic,
social and environmental.Thirdly, two case studies are presented in order to
better explain and practically implement the theoretical framework prefaced in
the first part. They are not real-life cases, but they do show how the set of
indicators should be applied in two different scenarios. One represents its
adoption by a Microfinance Institution (MFI), presenting the impact assessment
on financial supply side which aims at understanding how financial
institutions could apply this aspect into their daily work. The second one,
which is an impact assessment of a financial education activity, displays how
the set of indicators could be used for evaluating impact assessment of
specific activities.Lastly, the paper outlines the importance of impact
assessment and the future steps, underscoring the growing importance of this
practice at different levels and for different stakeholders. |