The Norwegian School of Economics (NHH)
The Norwegian School of Economics (NHH) is one of the leading business schools in Europe. NHH represents an internationally recognized research environment and is the first choice for students who want to study business administration in Norway.
In close cooperation with the business community and society, NHH is developing new knowledge and creating values for a sustainable future. NHH also has an international profile and cooperates with 170 universities and business schools in more than 50 countries.
Since 2010, NHH has cooperated with the Norwegian Association of Disabled (NAD) and the National Union of Disabled Persons of Uganda (NUDIPU) to ensure evidence-based results in the economic empowerment programme. From 2013 to 2016, NHH performed a study on the inclusive microfinance programme in Uganda, now known as iSAVE. Called the ‘Manafwa study’, it looked at the social impact of iSAVE, focusing on the inclusive saving and credit groups, which are targeting persons with disabilities in Manafwa in rural Uganda. The groups are also known as the We Can Manage groups.
The results from the Manafwa study provide strong evidence that the iSAVE program is having a positive effect on group members’ economic empowerment and well-being. The results show that iSAVE has contributed to an increase in income, happiness and optimism. For instance, 37 percent of the respondents with disabilities engaged in iSAVE report that their incomes are now higher than before they participated in iSAVE, compared to 27 percent among those not taking part in iSAVE.