Research from the Graduation Model

30 November 2020

Between 2012 and 2016, Concern implemented Graduation programmes in Burundi and Rwanda which had an operational research component led by the Centre for Social Protection at the UK’s Institute of Development Studies.

Graduation beneficiaries in front of the shop they have set up under the project; they have taken the initiative to establish a hand-washing station in front of the shop and they report soap sales have increased in the last few days as communities have been sensitised on the importance of hand-washing to prevent COVID transmission. Burundi Photo: Maud Biton / Concern Worldwide

Impact evaluations

Research in Rwanda was designed to assess changes in key indicators over time and the sustainability of these changes, whilst research in Burundi was designed to look at whether certain elements (components) of the Graduation programme are more important than others – in particular to look at the effectiveness of the coaching component; often seen as the ‘x-factor’ that makes the difference between success and failure.

Please see full reports and briefs from both countries.

Rwanda

Rwanda Graduation Final Evaluation Report 2016|PDF(1 MB)

Rwanda Graduation Evaluation Brief 2016|PDF(2 MB)

Burundi

Burundi Graduation Final Evaluation Report 2015|PDF(3 MB)

Burundi Graduation Evaluation Brief 2017|PDF(1 MB)

Judith and Faustim Nsabimama with their daughter in Nyiakibungo cell/ Nkunamo village in Gishubi Sector, Gisagara District. They are beneficiaries of Concern’s Graduation programme. They purchased their cow through a combination of income generation activities and money received from their asset transfer. Credit: Síle Sammon/ Concern Worldwide.

Qualitative research

Following impact evaluations in Rwanda and Burundi (2012-2016), several discrete topics were identified as requiring further investigation. The qualitative research was designed to build on this previous research and explore:

Graduation trajectories and the effect of political economy on outcomes
Further examination of the role of coaching and support in achieving positive and sustainable impact, and
Investigating the effect of graduation programmes on individuals within the household; intra-household dynamics and distribution of activities across individual household members.