JAKARTA, Dec. 13 (Xinhua) -- Microfinance programs led by women tend to be better run and more successful than those controlled by men, according to a report from an anti-poverty group in Jakarta.

    The Community Recovery Program Final Report was conducted between 1998 and 2006 by the Association for Community Empowerment (ACE), a non-governmental organization (NGO) working to reduce poverty here.

    "Women are better at saving money than men. In paying debts, women are also more on time," ACE executive director Titik Hartini was quoted Wednesday by national newspaper The Jakarta Post as saying.

    "Once women got access to credit and started running their own businesses, the profit went automatically into the needs of their families, such as child education and family health. Men, however, tended to spend their income for other needs first," she added.

    ACE was established eight years ago to provide guidance and loans to single-or mixed-gender groups in 25 provinces.

    "Women can be more diligent and scrupulous in their work. Unlike men, they also meet with their peers regularly," said association member Budi Santosa.

    With 600,000 rupiah (66 U.S. dollars) and the help of ACE volunteers, a women's association in North Sumatra started a business selling goods and processing food products. They made 25 million (2,756 dollars) in two years.

    As the members repay their debt, the money is loaned to new groups, so successful people help others improve their lot.

    The report found the empowerment project boosted solidarity and self-esteem among the poor. The program also appeared to help reduce tension in conflict areas.

    The association operated from a 28.9 million dollars fund from the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Sweden, New Zealand and PT Belersdorf Indonesia. The United Nations Development Program, which also made donations, acted as a financial manager.

    ACE, originally established by 27 NGOs as a reaction to the economic crisis of the late 1990s, has an expansive network of strategic partners and alliances throughout Indonesia.