Unpacking a Multi-Faceted Program to Build Sustainable Income for the Very Poor

43 Pages Posted: 21 Feb 2018 Last revised: 20 Dec 2019

See all articles by Abhijit V. Banerjee

Abhijit V. Banerjee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Economics

Dean Karlan

Northwestern University

Robert Darko Osei

University of Ghana - Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER)

Hannah Trachtman

Harvard College

Christopher Udry

Northwestern University

Multiple version iconThere are 3 versions of this paper

Date Written: January 1, 2018

Abstract

A multi-faceted program comprising a grant of productive assets, training, coaching, and savings has been found to build sustainable income for those in extreme poverty. We focus on two important questions: whether a mere grant of productive assets would generate similar impacts (it does not), and whether access to a savings account and a deposit collection service would generate similar impacts (it does not).

Keywords: development; poverty trap; social protection

JEL Classification: D12, O12, O17

Suggested Citation

Banerjee, Abhijit V. and Karlan, Dean and Osei, Robert Darko and Trachtman, Hannah and Udry, Christopher, Unpacking a Multi-Faceted Program to Build Sustainable Income for the Very Poor (January 1, 2018). Global Poverty Research Lab Working Paper No. 18-102, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3127053 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3127053

Abhijit V. Banerjee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) - Department of Economics ( email )

50 Memorial Drive
Room E52-252D
Cambridge, MA 02142
United States
617-253-8855 (Phone)
617-253-6915 (Fax)

Dean Karlan

Northwestern University ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

Robert Darko Osei

University of Ghana - Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) ( email )

P.O BOX LG 74
Legon
Ghana

Hannah Trachtman

Harvard College ( email )

Cambridge, MA 02138
United States

Christopher Udry (Contact Author)

Northwestern University ( email )

2001 Sheridan Road
Evanston, IL 60208
United States

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