What is the Graduation model?
The Graduation model was pioneered in Bangladesh in 2002. It is a set of interventions designed to address the complex nature of extreme poverty. These interventions are adapted to the local context and generally include connecting participants to social protection to meet their basic 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 coaching. The Graduation approach empowers participants to develop sustainable livelihoods that set them on a path of upward economic mobility. They also become better integrated into society, develop social connections, improve their self-esteem, and establish active roles in their communities.
Graduation Model Overview
Discover the phased approach used to empower individuals toward economic self-sufficiency through targeted interventions and sustainable livelihood support.
Phase One: Basic Needs
Connect participants with social protection to meet basic needs (cash transfer, basic food supplies., health services, etc.).
Phase Two: Income Generation
Provide essential assets and tailored capacity-building activities that enable participants to build sustainable income sources and enhance economic inclusion.
Phase Three: Financial Inclusion
Support participants in directly accessing convenient formal or informal savings facilities and financial services and financial literacy training.
Phase FOUR: Social Empowerment
Empower participants to increase their confidence, integrate into their community, and develop life skills through continuous mentoring and access to community resources.
The Graduation approach has proven effective in helping people escape ultrapoverty in the long term.
Economic Inclusion Initiatives
More than 100 organizations have adapted the approach in 50 different countries, reaching nearly 14 million people.
Comprehensive Household Support
A rigorous randomized control trial conducted by the London School of Economics showed 95 percent of participants ‘graduated’ out of extreme poverty with significant benefits persisting 7 years after the program ended.
Data-Driven Impact Assessment
Impacts on Graduation households typically include: increased assets (38-70%); increased incomes (30-40%); diversified sources of income; increased consumption (5-10%); savings (150%+); increased food security; increased access to healthcare and good hygiene practices; and increases in a range of social indicators, including school attendance for children, attendance of social events and confidence.
Impactful Outcomes from Graduation Model Participants
This section outlines the Graduation Model methodology, guiding users through each stage to foster economic inclusion and sustainable livelihoods.
How the Graduation Model Drives Sustainable Poverty Alleviation
This case study demonstrates how the Graduation Model enabled communities to overcome poverty barriers, resulting in improved income security and economic empowerment.
Empowering Livelihoods Through Proven Strategies
This case study illustrates how the Graduation Model’s comprehensive approach helped individuals build resilient income streams and secure long-term economic stability.
Discover the Graduation Model
Engage with proven strategies that empower communities towards economic independence and sustainable growth.