Effectiveness of Group-Based Livelihoods Programs: A Synthesis of Evidence

This working paper synthesizes evidence on the impact of group-based livelihoods interventions (GBLIs) in low- and middle-income countries, particularly focusing on women's groups. The review analyzes 129 impact evaluation studies, with a subset of 23 studies exhibiting low or medium risk of bias. The study assesses the impact of GBLIs on economic, social, and women's empowerment outcomes, highlighting the importance of program design, implementation, and contextual factors. The findings suggest that GBLIs can lead to positive but small impacts on consumption, reduced vulnerability, improved social cohesion, and increased access to finance and alternative livelihoods.