Introduction: RSDC was supported by ISET-N to undertake study on the effectiveness of saving and credit cooperatives (SACCOs) promoted by RSDC in its various project/programs. The study was undertaken from the year 2016-2018 in six districts Mahottari, Makwanpur, Rupandehi, Palpa, Bardiya and Dailekh. SACCOs are progressively gaining prominence as grass-root organizations in promotion of socio-economic transformation, especially in the rural regions. Such initiatives have positively contributed to enhance access to financial services, which has been a serious handicap to the development of poor target groups. One of the critical areas for a self-sustained growth of primary cooperatives has been the feeble linkage with wholesale lenders of funds that limits the scope of extending credit to productive enterprises and entrepreneurs.

Approach/Methodology:

Review of the SACCOs in the project districts were undertaken;

Interview and discussions to understand the problem faced by the community members in enhancing their income;

Discussions on the use of saving fund by the community members to learn and explore ideas for future investment to reduce poverty.

Aim: The study specifically looked into (i) Self-reliant Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SSCCOs) promoted by Rural Self-reliance  Development Centre (RSDC), in terms of their effectiveness in the delivery of services to the members and the impacts on the livelihoods of the poor people; and (ii)  it aimed to evaluate the overall performance of saving and credit cooperatives specifically the "Self-reliant Saving and Credit Cooperative Societies" (SSCCOs) with respect to the socio-economic transformation of the deprived communities in the project districts.

Achievements:

• Increase in membership of SSCCOs by 85.9% compared to the initial time of saving and credit cooperatives established; 
• Besides the core financial functions, many of the SSCCOs are concerned in the Agri-business aiming their future plans on trial and drain construction, acquiring pump set and ambulance, establishment of vegetable market, toilet construction, and operation of consumer goods stores.
• Children and institutional savings are encouraged by the cooperatives of both Terai and hills. Child savings has the contribution of 5.44% in the total savings in the Terai. Similarly, these kinds of savings have contributed to the overall savings as 9.25% and 2.61% respectively in Terai and hills;
• The SSCCOs have focus on the enterprise creation and development during the loan disbursement. They are disbursing a substantial proportion of loans on household expenses sharing 21.05% in the Terai and 6.4% in the Hills;
• There has been a definite impact on livelihoods in terms of increased income of members over period which include lowered seasonal outmigration of youth in search of jobs although outmigration to overseas countries (longer duration) has increased;
• The agriculture production system has diversified with the increased practice of kitchen gardening as well as commercial vegetable cultivation adopting more sustainable practices; 
• Food security state has improved as members reported enhanced capacity to increase production and purchase food with increased income. A more balanced food intake and nutritional improvement of children has taken place;
• There has been a significant social impact at individual, family and community levels which comprises reduction in domestic violence against women and the practice ofChhaupadiin the mid-west region;
• Other positive impacts include increase in girl’s enrolment and reduction in social evils such as alcoholism and gambling. Members have gained self-confidence, improved family and community stature after joining the SSCCOs, which is a positive factor for social change, especially for DAG and women in general.