Delivering development? Evidence on self‐help groups as development intermediaries in South Asia and Africa. (21st November 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gugerty, Mary Kay; Biscaye, Pierre; Leigh Anderson, C.
• Is Part Of: Development policy review. Volume 37:Number 1(2019)
• Page Start: 129
• Page End: 151
• Publication Date: 2018-11-21
• Subjects: collective action -- community‐based organizations -- mutual assistance -- savings groups -- self‐help groups -- women's groups; Developing countries -- Economic policy -- Periodicals; Economic assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; Technical assistance -- Developing countries -- Periodicals; 338.91
• DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12381
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0950-6764

Abstract

Abstract: Donors and governments increasingly seek to deliver development projects through community‐based organizations such as self‐help groups (SHGs), but little is known about the effectiveness of such arrangements. This article briefly summarizes hypotheses regarding the effectiveness of interventions using SHGs and presents the results of an evidence review on the impacts of interventions delivered through SHGs on health, finance, agriculture and empowerment outcomes in South Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa. Though the impacts of SHG‐based interventions are generally positive, the evidence base is limited and does not generally test whether alternative delivery mechanisms might be more effective.