Developed in the early 2000s, the Graduation approach was born out of learning from BRAC’s long period of program implementation that preceded it. BRAC has continuously evolved the Graduation approach since first starting the Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) program in Bangladesh in 2002, and it has now been adapted and expanded by BRAC and other organizations … Continued
After a successful pilot with the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment, BRAC UPGI has partnered with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), the Asian Development Bank, and the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to bring the scaled Padayon Sustainable Development Program to three provinces in southern Philippines. This integrated program is … Continued
By Abhijit Banerjee, Rema Hanna, Benjamin A. Olken and Diana Sverdlin-Lisker [October 2022] “Abstract: Social protection programs have become increasingly widespread in low- and middle- income countries, with their own distinct characteristics to match the environments in which they are operating. This paper reviews the growing literature on the design and impact of these programs. … Continued
The Graduation approach builds self-confidence, skills, resilience, and sustainable, diversified livelihoods by meeting participants’ basic day-to-day needs, providing training and assets for income generation, financial literacy and savings support, and social empowerment through community engagement and life skills training – all facilitated through in person coaching. Coaches play a critical role in encouraging participants to … Continued
Governments must strengthen their social protection systems to ensure those furthest behind are covered and that their long-term needs are met. Otherwise, the deepest forms of poverty will remain entrenched. Social protection programs help people who are marginalized and living in poverty meet their most basic needs. They enable people to cope with crises, find … Continued
Speakers: John W. McArthur, Alexia Latortue, Scott MacMillan, Amb. Elizabeth Cousens, Homi Kharas While the sustainable development goals and their anchoring promise to “leave no one behind” may feel increasingly out of reach amid the COVID-19 pandemic, rising poverty, food shortages, armed conflict, natural disasters, and other crises, there is still reason for optimism when … Continued
Extreme poverty goes far beyond a lack of income. This is because poverty is multidimensional. Health, education, clean water and sanitation, electricity, housing, social inclusion are all crucial indicators which determine standards of living and future prospects of an individual and their household. We cannot eradicate these challenges by focusing on income alone. To address … Continued
In July 2018, the Bab Amal Graduation program was launched with the objective of reducing extreme poverty in Upper Egypt. Together with the Sawiris Foundation, J-PAL, the Egyptian Human Development Association (EHDA), and Giving Without Limits Association (GWLA), the pilot targets approximately 2,400 rural, extreme poor households in the Assiut and Sohag governorates. BRAC UPGI … Continued
This virtual event took place on July 14, 2022, and was hosted by BRAC, the Permanent Mission of Bangladesh to the UN, and the Permanent Mission of Rwanda to the UN on the sidelines of the 2022 UN High-Level Political Forum. This webinar reflects on BRAC’s role in generating development lessons in the Global South … Continued
Learn how a proven solution to poverty eradication can help empower millions to lift themselves into sustainable livelihood. BRAC, the world’s largest NGO, wanted to help previously unreachable people in extreme poverty build sustainable livelihoods long-term. So, in 2002 we pioneered the Graduation approach – a holistic sequence of interventions that helps people escape the … Continued