Search by:
Program Area: All
AllICT4DAgricultureEmergency Response and RecoveryHealthEducationMicrofinanceSupply Chain ManagementWater SecurityJustice and PeacebuildingPartnership and Capacity StrengtheningMonitoring Evaluation Accountability and LearningYouth
Type: All
AllTools for Field Staff - Best Practices - Fact Sheet - Guidelines - Learning Briefs - Manuals - Tool Kits - Federal Regulation - Code of ConductResearch - Case Studies - Papers/Reports - Journal article - Impact Evaluations - Evaluations/Assessments
Region: All
AllAfricaGreeceAsiaCentral America, South America & the CaribbeanEuropeMiddle East & North AfricaUnited States

Learning Briefs | July 24, 2018

TANGIBLE BENEFITS TO CHILD WELLBEING SEEN AMONG HOUSEHOLDS PARTICIPATING IN SAVINGS AND INTERNAL LENDING COMMUNITIES (SILC)

This 4-page brief shares data about the effect of savings groups -- which CRS calls "SILC" (Savings and Internal Lending Communities) -- on vulnerable households in Nigeria. Between August 2015 and September 2017, more than 1,100 SILC groups were formed within the CRS-led "SMILE" program for orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). The groups engaged nearly 25,000 members, including roughly 18,000 women, and accrued total assets of nearly N146 million (approximately US$406,000) by the end of September 2017. By mid 2018, 20% of the groups had graduated and shared out their savings and dividends. In subsequent savings cycles, they continued to operate successfully without program support. 

SMILE – Sustainable Mechanisms for Improving Livelihoods and Household Empowerment – ​is a five-year (April 2013–December 2018) cooperative agreement between CRS and USAID. CRS leads the SMILE consortium, which includes ActionAid and Westat. SMILE is designed to improve the wellbeing of 500,000 OVC and 125,000 caregivers in Benue, Kogi, Edo, and Nasarawa states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. Household economic strengthening, HIV and health services, child protection, psychosocial support, and education are some of the core services delivered to targeted priority populations. Nearly 50 local civil society organizations received sub-grants to strengthen their technical capacity and deliver high-quality services to OVC and their caregivers through trained community volunteers.

GET THE LATEST CRS RESEARCH & PUBLICATIONS DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX