Impact Highlights
Topline highlights from 2025: post-graduation results at month 60 and graduation results at month 24.
Five Years Later, Our Impact Continues
This year, our 2020 Cohort is marking 60 months since the program's inception and 36 months since graduation, with results demonstrating lasting impact for 97,368 program participants.
2020 Cohort at month 60
Return on Investment
19X return achieved by partner communities, unlocking $2,023 in Total Program Value versus peers over 60 months from a one-time $107/household investment, yielding a 1792% ROI.
Household Income and Production/Day
$3/day, the average Household Income and Production/day for partner households at month 60, nearly double their peers, adding up to $1915 more over the evaluation period.
Contribution to Income Gains
87% of income gains achieved by partner communities versus peers over 60 months were driven by Agriculture Income.
Annual Agriculture Value and Income
315% increase in average Annual Agricultural Value per partner household from baseline to month 60, producing $1,730 more than peers over the evaluation period.
509% increase in average Annual Agricultural Income per partner household, earning $1,097 more than peers over 60 months.
Poverty Probability %
17.33% Poverty Probability* at month 60, 13.35 points improvement from baseline and 6.75 points lower than peers.
*Based on Grameen PPI methodology
Key
Takeaways
At month 60, RTV partner households show sustained impact beyond graduation. Launched during the pandemic, this cohort demonstrated resilience and continues to outpace peers in long-term gains.
19X Returns
Initial program investments generated strong and lasting returns, growing from 5X at graduation to 19X over 60 months.
Household Income & Production
RTV households built momentum early and sustained it. Household Income and Production doubled from baseline by graduation and tripled by month 60, while peers saw smaller gains.
Agriculture Production & Income
Increased agricultural production and income are key drivers of long-term economic growth in partner communities.
Poverty Likelihood
Poverty likelihood continues to decline post-graduation, with RTV households progressing faster than peers.
Impact Story
Growing Together
2020 to today
In a remote village in Rukungiri District, what started as a small step and a group initiative five years ago has grown into a thriving community with coffee farms, apple orchards, retail businesses and livestock rearing, bringing together 30 individuals to form a strong, cohesive group working collectively for a better future.
Members of the VSLA Group at the Burama Maize Hullers and Millers station in Rukungiri District.
Agnes at the milling station.
For the community, farming had long been a subsistence-based activity while income and savings were scarce. In February 2020, families came together after participating in financial literacy training to form a joint savings group. "After participating in the financial literacy trainings, we came together to start a Joint VSLA to address our financial problems — something that was new in our community. We had never had any financial groups in our village," recalls Agnes, the group's secretary. In their early meetings, they agreed to establish a hulling and milling business.
By pooling their improved agricultural income, they saved UGX 10,000,000 (approximately USD 2,778 at UGX 3,600 = USD 1) in just over a year, purchased a maize milling machine and secured a small rented space. "We mill our maize and millet into flour and animal feeds, which we sell as final products. Community members and surrounding villages equally benefit because we offer affordable milling prices," Agnes explains.
Members of the VSLA Group at the Burama Maize Hullers and Millers station in Rukungiri District.
Terasisio operating the milling machine.
The business quickly became a steady source of collective income, with profits reinvested into savings, machine upkeep and community benefits. Just as importantly, it brought people together. "Earlier, people in our community handled issues individually or within their families, rarely reaching out for help from neighbours or other community members. Now, we have become a strong, cohesive group. During some of our meetings, we even share and talk about how to manage our homes and families better," Agnes adds. In 2023, the group expanded its efforts by purchasing goats for each of its 30 members.
"We used our profits and interests to promote financial independence for our members. Every member has received a goat, to help them expand their livestock farm and start earning from them," says Terasisio, a committee member.
The ripple effects have been evident. Group members Akampura and Cleo started a goat rearing and retail business. Agnes used her savings and profits to buy half an acre of land in 2024 and plant coffee, while Terasisio invested in apple farming in 2023, selling fruit for steady seasonal income. "Through the initiative, I am now capable of regularly providing for my family's needs. Most of us in our village look better than we were before the program," he shares.