From 1991 until January of 2001, CALMEADOW
experimented with various forms of microlending both rural and
urban throughout the province of Nova Scotia. The experiments,
while frequently encouraging, failed to reach a critical mass
of clients sufficient to sustain the operations without heavy
ongoing subsidy. The attached report by Robert Wright, former
manager of CALMEADOW Nova Scotia and Nic Friendly, an independent
consultant, gives an insight into the range and depth of the experience
as well as some conclusions on the challenges facing anyone interested
in operating a stand-alone fund in a developed country like Canada.
Calmeadow
Nova Scotia (February 2001) WORD Document