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How much can asset transfers help the poorest? The five Cs of community-level development and BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Programme

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  • Anirudh Krishna
  • Meri Poghosyan
  • Narayan Das

Abstract

We develop a framework for assessing community-level development programmes, building upon five related elements that are centrally important: confidence, cohesion, capacity, connections and cash (the five ‘Cs’). We use this framework for evaluating the impacts over a six-year period (2002-2008) of an innovative programme, implemented in rural Bangladesh, which has assisted extremely poor households, literally the poorest of the poor. Asset transfers constitute the centrepiece of this multidimensional programme, which also supports training, organisation building, cash supports, microfinance, and so on. The provision of a substantial dose of assets has helped produce very positive results by and large. Impressive income gains have been achieved (and sustained) by the majority of assisted households. But vulnerability to downturns on account of negative events, such as illnesses and house damage, has resulted in asset losses for several assisted households. Better social protection measures will help complete the good work commenced by the asset transfer plan.

Suggested Citation

  • Anirudh Krishna & Meri Poghosyan & Narayan Das, 2010. "How much can asset transfers help the poorest? The five Cs of community-level development and BRAC’s Ultra-Poor Programme," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 13010, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    • Handle: RePEc:bwp:bwppap:13010
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    1. Meinzen-Dick, Ruth & Raju, K. V. & Gulati, Ashok, 2002. "What Affects Organization and Collective Action for Managing Resources? Evidence from Canal Irrigation Systems in India," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 649-666, April.
    2. M Das Gupta & H. Grandvoinnet & M. Romani, 2004. "State-Community Synergies in Community-Driven Development," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(3), pages 27-58.
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    1. Wameq A. Raza & Narayan C. Das & Farzana A. Misha, 2012. "Can ultra-poverty be sustainably improved? Evidence from BRAC in Bangladesh," Journal of Development Effectiveness, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 4(2), pages 257-276, June.

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