What leads to the success of sustainable investment in rural settings through Village Savings and Loans Associations? The experience of the CARE-WWF Alliance
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Date
2026
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Bristol University Press
Abstract
This study explores the changes brought by collective sustainable investment (CSI) model
through Village Saving Loan Associations (VSLAs) in Tanzania. The CSI model aimed
to minimize the impact of environmental degradation and climate change following the
longstanding overexploitation of the Great Ruaha River catchment. The study employed
qualitative designed and was guided by Lewin’s three stage model. Twelve focus group
discussions (FGDs) with women, men, and youth farmers from 2 selected villages in Mufindi
and Iringa Districts were conducted. In addition, key informant interviews (KIIs) were
conducted with project implementers, village leaders, conservation leaders, community
based trainers and Local Government Authorities (LGAs). The collected data were analysed
by using latent content analysis. The findings show that adherence to the VSLA constitution
by members, the evaluation of environmental impact of the project by VSLA members and
the encouragement of non-farm activities investment by members are major reasons for the
success of VSLAs in Tanzania. Furthermore, the study concludes that the CSI model can help
in achieving sustainable investment whereby farmers are assessing the impact of investment
on environmental and biodiversity before issuing of the funds.
Description
Global Social Challenges Journal • vol XX • no XX • 1–20
Keywords
Sustainable investment, Village Savings and Loan Associations, Lewin’s three stage model
Citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1332/27523349Y2025D000000064