Efficiency of micro credit applications in combating poverty: The case of Gazi̇antep

The concept of "poverty", closely related to developed countries too, is concerned by systematic research in our country as well as in the world in recent years. The scope of research conducted in the international arena, which is towards definition and measurement of poverty, is expanding and being converted to applied works which is based on campaign against poverty. One of the social projects developed for applied solutions in campaign to end poverty is the method of micro-credit. This paper aimed to determine whether the method of micro-credit is effective in fight against poverty or not. Outline of the method of micro-credit both in Turkey and world was analyzed, thereby examining the phases of structural and functional maintenance of it. The data collected by the method of survey statistics. Frequency / percentage distribution, cross tabulation and graphical analysis was conducted for the data which are collected with survey. By way of conclusion for analysis; it was came out that with rise provided in their income and wealth, the women, contracting micro-credit, express themselves more liberally and act more determined about planning their future in their social environment especially with their family. However, due to the fact that most of the women prefer to work in areas based on manual or labor activities and spend their significant portion of gain for cost of family living, it came out that they prefer to work in the jobs which are professionally restricted (shops, handicraft production looms in small businesses and so on). Keywords: Poverty, Micro-credit, Gaziantep.