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The (very) long-run impacts of cash grants during a crisis

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  • Ankel-Peters, Jörg
  • Fiala, Nathan
  • Rose, Julian
  • Aryemo, Filder

Abstract

We investigate the very long-run impacts of a randomized cash grant in Uganda during COVID-19 lockdowns. In 2008, the program supported young adults through a one-time entrepreneurial grant. Considerable effects materialized after four years, which vanished after nine years. For the 12-year follow-up, we pre-specified three outcomes, including a heterogeneity analysis by gender. We find positive effects on employment and income for men, but no effects on food security. We also find no effects for women. These re-surfacing effects suggest that the timing of a follow-up matters – an important insight for the growing literature on long-run studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Ankel-Peters, Jörg & Fiala, Nathan & Rose, Julian & Aryemo, Filder, 2023. "The (very) long-run impacts of cash grants during a crisis," OSF Preprints rdjn9, Center for Open Science.
  • Handle: RePEc:osf:osfxxx:rdjn9
    DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/rdjn9
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    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C93 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Design of Experiments - - - Field Experiments
    • J24 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Human Capital; Skills; Occupational Choice; Labor Productivity
    • O12 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - Microeconomic Analyses of Economic Development
    • H53 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Government Expenditures and Welfare Programs
    • I38 - Health, Education, and Welfare - - Welfare, Well-Being, and Poverty - - - Government Programs; Provision and Effects of Welfare Programs

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