Impacto socioeconómico del programa de microcrédito rural en Carazo, Nicaragua (2017-2022)

This study evaluates the social and economic impact of the Microcredit for Rural Entrepreneurship program, implemented by the Government of Reconciliation and National Unity (GRUN), through the Ministry of Family, Community, Cooperative, and Associative Economy (MEFCCA), in Carazo, Nicaragua, between 2017 and 2022. This work employs a mixed-methods approach, examining whether the program has fostered job creation and poverty reduction in the rural districts and communities where it was implemented.Rural microcredit has been an essential strategy for promoting the financial inclusion of small producers, enabling them to access productive capital in areas traditionally excluded by formal banking. (Gutiérrez, 2017)The findings reveal a positive effect: beneficiaries' incomes grow by an average of 30%, and each business generates, on average, 1.5 additional jobs. However, problems persist in financial management and institutional coordination, hindering the progress of these ventures toward becoming formalized microenterprises. Therefore, it is recommended that the results of this study be considered for future programs to optimize the resources available for these initiatives, which transform and improve the lives of their participants and strengthen the sustainability of the projects.