In 2021, BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) programme launched the Disability Inclusive Ultra-Poor Graduation (DIUPG) initiative, aiming to uplift extremely impoverished individuals with disabilities and their families. This initiative seeks to increase their employability and expand their resources, thereby enhancing their mental and economic well-being, facilitating their journey out of poverty, and empowering them for active participation in mainstream development. BRAC Institute of Governance and Development (BIGD) collaborated with BRAC UPG to conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the 2023 cohort of the programme to assess the impact of the DIUPG programme. In 2023, BIGD also conducted a rapid assessment of DIUPG 2021 cohort’s pilot version.
Researchers: Dr Imran Matin; Dr Narayan Das; Dr Sheikh Touhidul Haque; Semab Rahman; Raisa Rahman
Partners: BRAC Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) programme
Timeline: 2023–2025
Status: Ongoing
Contact: Dr Narayan Das; narayan.das@bracu.ac.bd
Publication:
Blogs
Context
Over the years, BRAC’s UPG programme has undergone several changes to address evolving challenges and new vulnerabilities. The fifth phase of the UPG Programme aligns with BRAC’s strategy, emphasizing vulnerable and marginalized populations in high-risk areas, particularly those affected by COVID-19, including persons with disabilities and small minority communities. According to World Bank data, about 20% of the people in extreme poverty have one or more individuals with disabilities in their families, and it is essential to include them in development programmes and provide the necessary support. In this context, BRAC decided to pilot a programme titled Disability Inclusive Ultra-Poor Graduation (DIUPG) in 2021 for individuals with disabilities, with technical assistance from Handicap International-Humanity Inclusion (HI). Based on the insights gained from the pilot, BRAC has decided to implement the DIUPG intervention in 81 branch offices across the country.
Objectives
The study seeks to comprehensively evaluate the impact of the Disability Inclusive Ultra-Poor Graduation (DIUPG) programme on the livelihoods, financial inclusion, social protection, social empowerment, and overall well-being of persons with disabilities and their households. This research aims to provide a holistic understanding of the program’s outcomes and its potential to contribute to the overall improvement of its beneficiaries’ lives.
This study is relevant to SDG 1 (no poverty), particularly to ending poverty in all its forms everywhere.
Methodology
BIGD will conduct a randomized controlled trial (RCT) on the 2023 cohort of the program while BRAC will select households with persons with disabilities in 114 branch offices. From these, 75 branch offices will be randomly chosen, with 25 as control and the rest as treatment areas. In the intervention group covering 81 branch offices, BRAC will identify approximately 35 eligible households with persons with disabilities in each branch office. This totals around 2,625 households eligible for the DIUPG program and baseline surveys will be conducted for all of them.
Findings and Recommendations
Forthcoming
