Evaluation Report: Tearfund Ireland Self Help Development in Ethiopia
This end of project evaluation assessed Tearfund Ireland’s SHG project in Ethiopia against OECD-DAC evaluation criteria. The project ranked highly on all five criteria: it holistically empowered the poorest members of the community; improved nutrition, health, education, household income and assets; and avoided high interest rates. SHGs were highly efficient, with major changes occurring at a low cost. Separating groups by gender seemed to be better for women’s empowerment. Sustainability at the individual and household level was secured, however at the institutional level SHGs would benefit from legal status, and federated structures should be consolidated to promote political voice.