Improving Livelihoods Through Group-Based Interventions: An Evidence Map

This report presents an evidence gap map (EGM) examining the economic, social, and empowerment effects of group-based livelihood interventions in rural areas of low- and middle-income countries from 1996 to 2018. The EGM analyzes 129 impact evaluations and 8 systematic reviews, focusing on interventions providing financial, human, or social capital through groups. The analysis reveals a concentration of studies in South Asia, particularly Bangladesh and India, with a focus on financial interventions. The report identifies gaps in evidence related to intermediate outcomes, complex multi-faceted interventions, and the impact of interventions on debt, highlighting the need for updated systematic reviews and deeper examination of how and why impacts occur.