Course Details

Pathway to Self-Reliance: The Graduation Approach Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Moving households out of extreme poverty requires more than temporary safety nets; it demands a comprehensive strategy that builds sustainable livelihoods and fosters long-term self-reliance. The Graduation Approach offers a proven, multi-faceted pathway, combining elements of social protection, livelihood promotion, financial inclusion, and social empowerment in a carefully sequenced manner. This vital training course provides professionals with a deep understanding of the principles, design components, and implementation strategies of the Graduation Approach, a powerful tool for tackling extreme poverty. Gain the expertise to guide vulnerable households towards lasting economic stability through this essential training course.

This comprehensive training course delves into the core elements that make the Graduation Approach effective, including meticulous targeting, consumption support, asset transfer, skills training, financial inclusion, and intensive coaching. Participants will explore the theory of change, the global evidence base, operational requirements, and critical success factors for designing and managing successful Graduation Programs. By completing this training course, you will be equipped with the practical knowledge to implement interventions that empower the poorest households to build resilient futures and achieve sustainable livelihoods, breaking the cycle of intergenerational poverty.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Social protection and poverty reduction program managers and designers
• Livelihoods, economic inclusion, and enterprise development specialists
• Staff of government agencies and NGOs implementing Graduation Programs or similar initiatives
• Microfinance institution (MFI) staff working with ultra-poor clients
• Field supervisors, coaches, mentors, and caseworkers involved in direct implementation
• Monitoring and evaluation professionals assessing poverty reduction and livelihood programs
• Policymakers and researchers focused on solutions for extreme poverty and economic inclusion

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Understand the core principles, theory of change, components, and evidence base supporting the Graduation Approach.
• Learn and apply effective methodologies for targeting and enrolling participants living in extreme poverty.
• Design and sequence the key interventions of a Graduation Program: consumption support, asset transfer, skills training, and financial inclusion.
• Appreciate and integrate the critical role of regular coaching, mentoring, and life skills support.
• Develop strategies for effectively integrating the various components of the Graduation Approach.
• Understand how to adapt the Graduation model to diverse geographical, cultural, and market contexts.
• Learn how to design robust monitoring and evaluation systems to track participant progress towards graduation.
• Identify key operational management considerations for implementing and potentially scaling up Graduation Programs.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Understanding the Graduation Approach

• Defining the Graduation Approach and its distinction from other poverty programs for this module.
• Exploring the historical evolution and theoretical underpinnings of the model for this module.
• Reviewing the global evidence base and impact studies on Graduation Programs for this module.
• Understanding the core principles and the integrated Theory of Change for this module.
• Identifying the typical target group: the extreme poor and ultra-poor for this module.

Module 2: Targeting and Enrolling the Extreme Poor

• Discussing the importance and challenges of accurately targeting the extreme poor for this module.
• Reviewing common targeting methodologies (PMT, community-based, census) and their application for this module.
• Developing robust processes for participant identification, verification, and enrollment for this module.
• Addressing potential inclusion and exclusion errors in targeting for this module.
• Ensuring ethical considerations and participant dignity throughout the targeting process for this module.

Module 3: Core Component: Consumption Support and Social Protection Linkages

• Understanding the role of consumption support (cash or food transfers) in stabilizing households for this module.
• Determining appropriate levels and duration of consumption support for this module.
• Linking Graduation Programs effectively with existing national social protection systems for this module.
• Designing delivery mechanisms for timely and reliable consumption support for this module.
• Monitoring the impact of consumption support on household well-being and investment capacity for this module.

Module 4: Core Component: Asset Transfer and Livelihood Planning

• Identifying appropriate and viable livelihood options based on market assessments and participant preferences for this module.
• Selecting and procuring suitable assets (livestock, inventory, tools) for transfer for this module.
• Designing mechanisms for asset transfer and ensuring participant ownership for this module.
• Supporting participants in developing simple business or livelihood plans for this module.
• Providing initial technical support related to the chosen livelihood pathway for this module.

Module 5: Core Component: Skills Training and Technical Support

• Designing relevant technical skills training tailored to the chosen livelihood pathways for this module.
• Incorporating business management and entrepreneurship skills training for this module.
• Developing effective training methodologies suitable for low-literacy participants for this module.
• Establishing mechanisms for ongoing technical support and troubleshooting for this module.
• Linking participants with relevant market actors and value chains for this module.

Module 6: Core Component: Financial Inclusion and Savings

• Understanding the importance of financial literacy and capability building for this module.
• Facilitating access to savings mechanisms (savings groups, formal accounts) for this module.
• Exploring linkages with microfinance institutions for credit or insurance, where appropriate for this module.
• Designing strategies to encourage regular savings habits among participants for this module.
• Monitoring participants' financial health and access to financial services for this module.

Module 7: Core Component: Coaching, Mentoring, and Social Empowerment

• Defining the role and methodology of regular coaching and mentoring in the Graduation Approach for this module.
• Developing life skills training components (health, nutrition, planning, confidence-building) for this module.
• Facilitating peer support networks and connections to broader community groups for this module.
• Training and supporting coaches/mentors to effectively guide participants for this module.
• Addressing social norms and intra-household dynamics that may affect progress for this module.

Module 8: Program Management, M&E, Adaptation, and Scale

• Designing the overall program structure, sequencing, and timeline for this module.
• Establishing robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including defining graduation benchmarks for this module.
• Developing operational plans, staffing structures, and budgets for Graduation Programs for this module.
• Adapting the Graduation model to different contexts (urban, fragile states, specific livelihood sectors) for this module.
• Exploring strategies and considerations for achieving sustainability and scaling up Graduation Programs for this module.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com