The evidence on Self Help Groups in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Uganda shows how and where local and national organizations can fit in to best support and complement the needs of community driven initiatives.
Read MoreA study by the Share Trust and the Warande Advisory Centre estimates the economic implications of shifting 25% of ODA - aligned with Grand Bargain and USAID commitments - from international to local intermediary structures. The analysis estimates that local intermediaries could deliver programming that is 32% more cost efficient than international intermediaries, equate to a cost savings of US$4.3bn annually (based on 2018 ODA), and redeploy $680m in salary and overhead costs to local actors when modeling equitable rates.
Read MoreThis evidence brief by the Share Trust highlights how girls’ groups can serve as a promising tool to help adolescent girls thrive as they explore their needs and boundaries alongside peers and mentors.
Read MoreThe Local Coalition Accelerator (LCA) is a new platform whose aim is to bridge the gap between bi-laterals, multi-laterals, philanthropy and local actors to fundamentally change the way that international assistance is designed and delivered. The LCA leverages, partners with and amplifies existing localization efforts, via its Advisory Council, to support coalitions of local actors who can effectively co-design and implement holistic, evidence-based programming at scale to address systemic, multi-sectoral problems.
Read MoreSelf Help Groups are voluntary groups whose members meet every week to save, start small business activities and create powerful change for themselves and their communities. The groups have a number of features such as small group size and indefinite membership that differentiate them from other models. The Share Trust has put together an infographic that outlines the key characteristics of a Self Help Group in more detail.
Read MoreAs SHGs mature and replicate, they aggregate - this allows them to amplify their individual voices to create impactful change at scale. The resulting democratic structure allows the groups to have a broader impact on their communities while also providing an exit strategy for implementing organizations. The Share Trust has put together an infographic that describes this process in more detail.
Read MoreThe Share Trust has been working in partnership with Code Innovation to build a digital curriculum for SHG facilitators. This is complemented by an MIS/dashboard that allows organizations and facilitators to track the progress of their groups. With support from DFID and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the digital platform is now in 10 languages, working with 13 implementing partners across India, Africa and the Caribbean. More information can be found on the SHG digital platform website.
Read MoreIn this evidence review, Cabot Venton et al. (2021) look at the link between resilience, psychosocial factors and SHGs. The review indicates that SHGs can have substantial consequences for a range of women’s psychosocial factors, particularly social capital and women’s empowerment. In combination with economic factors that are also facilitated through SHGs, these psychosocial factors strengthen members’ and their households’ capacity to be more resilient in the face of shocks and stresses.
Read MoreFagan et al. (2020) evaluated the impact of SHGs in Ethiopia on the psychosocial and spiritual wellbeing of their members. They studied Tearfund’s SHGs both quantitatively and qualitatively as a cross-sectional study at one point in time. The study found the impact of SHGs on psychosocial outcomes to be significant and cumulative since older groups scored more highly on psychological and social wellbeing.
Read More