The Graduation Approach
The Women’s Economic Empowerment Network held its fourth meeting, bringing together researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to explore the effectiveness of the Graduation Approach – a holistic poverty alleviation model designed to help the ultra-poor achieve lasting self-sufficiency.
Prof. Munshi Sulaiman from the BRAC Institute of Governance & Development shared findings from Bangladesh that examined the long-term and intergenerational impacts of the graduation approach. His presentation highlighted how interventions not only improve income and consumption in the short term but also lead to enduring benefits that extend into future generations positively impacting the earnings of daughters of former program beneficiaries.
Viola Asri and Charlotte Ringdal examined how the graduation approach compares to other interventions such as lump-sum cash transfers and microfinance. Although the graduation approach involves higher upfront costs due to its multi-component design – which includes asset transfers, skills training, and mentoring – evidence shows it produces more sustainable increases in income and consumption. These gains often persist years after the intervention ends, suggesting strong long-term returns on investment and positioning the graduation approach as a highly cost-effective strategy.
The presentation also addressed potential unintended effects. While most impacts are positive, findings on psychosocial well-being – particularly among women – are mixed. Ensuring that asset transfers are sufficiently large is also crucial, as undersized support can result in beneficiaries slipping back into poverty. Targeting the right participants remains a challenge, with varying success across different contexts.
Participants engaged in group discussions, sharing experiences and lessons from implementing the graduation approach and similar approaches in different settings. These conversations enriched the understanding of practical challenges and opportunities in adapting the model to local needs.
The network will be hosting its next event on June 2nd, focusing on Technology as an Equalizer. Sign up below.