Evaluation

2021 Evaluation of the Jerusalem Interest-free Microfinance Loan Fund on business women in East Jerusalem

After six years of operation of JIMF - Jerusalem Interest-Free Loans Fund, a survey was held to examine and evaluate the impact of the program on the participants – women new entrepreneurs and women businesses owners in East Jerusalem.

Four dimensions were examined: the effect of the loan on participants' business development, the effect of the loan on participants' personal and family well-being, the effect of the business management training courses provided by MATI, and finally, the effect on implementation of the business plan built for the loan recipients.

The survey was conducted among 60 participants who received JIMF interest-free loans to start or expand a business between 2015 and 2019.

We reached out to all 122 women who received loans in the last 6 years of the program via mail, asking them to fill out the questionnaire. A phone call followed the mail. Out of 122, 60 women responded and took part in the survey.

The survey was conducted during the current Corona pandemic; therefore, the ongoing crisis influenced the answers given by the program's participants.

The studies were carried out by EDU Station, supervised by MATI, and was funded by JIMF.


The Jerusalem Interest-Free Micro-Finance Fund Limited (JIMF) is a UK charity set up in 2008 for the relief of financial hardship amongst people in poor communities in Jerusalem by enabling them to establish and to grow their own businesses, through the provision of microfinance and technical assistance

EDU Station is a Bethlehem-based Skills Development Center, and consultancy agency that is directed by the co- founders – Mr. Tariq Al Bakri and Mr. Samer Awwad. The center offers coaching and consultancy services, market studies, and evaluation surveys for companies and cooperatives.

MATI – the Jerusalem Business Development Center, a not-for-profit organization, was established in 1991 to help entrepreneurs and business owners start or expand businesses in Jerusalem and environs. Each year, MATI Jerusalem helps thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners create or expand businesses in the city, thus aiding in the creation of thousands of new jobs and advancing the city’s overall economic development.

220306 Evaluation of JIMF Women Program 2021 .pdf