Held from September 23 to 25, the Graduating to Resilience DC Learning Summit brought together over 300 global implementers, researchers, donors, and stakeholders to examine the transformative potential of poverty graduation programs. This event celebrated the culmination of the Graduating to Resilience Activity, a seven-year initiative funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance and implemented in partnership with the AVSI Foundation, Trickle Up, and the American Institutes for Research (AIR). Participants also engaged in dynamic discussions, exchanged groundbreaking insights, and showcased compelling success stories, illuminating the capacity of the Graduation Approach to tackle complex global challenges.
Day 1: Celebrating Seven Years of Impact
The first day began with a warm welcome from Jacqueline Aldrette, Deputy Secretary General of AVSI, who emphasized the opportunity presented by graduation programs. She stated,
“It’s not just about resources offered; it’s about time—time to grow, time to relearn new ways of thinking, and time to build relationships of trust and mutual concern.”
The focus on personal and community empowerment was evident throughout the day. Dianna Darsney, Deputy Assistant to the Administrator for USAID BHA, shared her commitment to integrate learnings from the Graduating to Resilience Activity into future global graduation programs, asserting, “We are committed to taking these invaluable lessons and ensuring they shape our strategies moving forward across other countries.” This was echoed by Daniele Nyirandutiye, Mission Director for USAID Uganda, who celebrated a significant milestone: “Of the 13,000 participants in this initiative, an impressive 80% have successfully graduated, marking a pivotal shift toward self-reliance and empowerment.”

Opening day featured a diverse panel featuring thought leaders from the Graduation Community of Practice, which underscored the effectiveness of the graduation approach in addressing poverty’s multidimensional nature. Jonathan Simonetta of AIR emphasized the necessity of evidence-based approaches, stating, “It’s more important now than ever to support evidence-based approaches that build in flexibility.” Giampaolo Silvestri of AVSI highlighted core values critical to graduation: “Dignity, relationships, freedom, aspiration, commitment—these are key to success.” Lauren Hendricks of Trickle Up identified coaching as the “secret sauce” of graduation. At the same time, Celeste Brubaker of Village Enterprise reinforced that the approach, unlike other models, is flexible and acknowledges the “multidimensional realities of poverty.” Sam Owilly of BOMA expressed his optimism, stating that “through collective efforts like this, we are making it possible to be moments away from ending poverty in our lifetime,” and underscored the importance of “using this proven approach, and combining it with protection interventions, to provide the much-needed support for refugees to thrive in their situation.”
Rita Larok, Chief of Party for AVSI, shared insights from the Activity, reporting an 80% graduation rate across two cohorts while emphasizing the tailored approach for both refugee and host communities. She reiterated that “graduation is not a one-size-fits-all solution.”
Lasse Brune, Principal Investigator at IPA, presented preliminary findings showing sustained improvements in livelihoods, food security, and mental health, asserting, “This approach is not just a temporary fix but a pathway to long-term resilience.”The day concluded with a powerful testimony from Guilain Kanane, a former AVSI Community-Based Trainer from Congo who sought refuge in Uganda. He shared his personal journey of transformation through the Graduating to Resilience Activity, stating, “‘Refugee’ is just a word. It doesn’t define who you are—it’s a label given by circumstance, but it doesn’t dictate our potential or our dreams.”

A standout feature was the interactive marketplace photo installation, allowing participants to journey through the Graduation Approach. Through powerful images and detailed infographics on key thematic areas such as livelihoods, coaching, and resilience, attendees immersed themselves in the real-life impact of the program, visually showcasing how the initiative empowers individuals and communities.
Day 2: Technical Insights and Empowering Narratives
The second day of the Graduating to Resilience DC Learning Summit began with an insightful lightning talk from Syed Hashemi, Professor at BRAC University, who emphasized that meaningful knowledge is gained through direct engagement with marginalized communities rather than relying solely on theoretical models or consultancy reports.
The day’s discussions centered on key elements of the Graduation Approach, particularly within the context of the Graduating to Resilience Activity. Rita Larok, Chief of Party at AVSI, highlighted the importance of livelihoods and economic inclusion in building resilience, underscoring the role of apprenticeships and marketplace integration in creating sustainable outcomes. John Paul Nyeko, Senior M&E Advisor at AVSI, focused on the critical role of monitoring and evaluation systems in achieving measurable impact, stressing the value of data-driven decision-making and the contributions of frontline staff. Robinah Nannungi, Food Security and Nutritional Advisor at AVSI, explored the link between food security and the Graduation Approach, illustrating its positive effects on community health and nutrition. Innocent Cwinyai, Deputy Chief of Party at AVSI, alongside Duke University Professors Eric Green and Eve Puffer,discussed the role of coaching in fostering supportive relationships that drive success in the graduation process. Innocent also emphasized the transformative potential of digital technology in enhancing social and economic inclusion. Lydia Murungi, Gender Technical Advisor at AVSI, shared key strategies for gender mainstreaming, demonstrating its role in driving change at the household and community levels.
The day was moderated by Lauren Hendricks, CEO of Trickle Up, who reiterated the enduring impact of this work, noting, “The work we do is not just for the people we serve but for future generations.”
Day 3: What’s Next? Scaling, Evidence, and Innovation
The final day of the learning Summit brought a forward-looking focus on the future of evidence, innovation, and scaling in poverty graduation programs.
The “What’s Next? Evidence and Innovation” panel, moderated by Glynnis Melnicove of AIR, featured development experts discussing how to sustain and enhance the Graduation Approach across various contexts. Lauren Hendricks of Trickle Up emphasized the need for robust partnerships with governments for scaling, saying, “We need to partner with governments if we are to reach every individual living in ultra-poverty. Nathanael Goldberg from IPA provided background on the robust and evolving evidence base for graduation interventions, “We have to use data to tailor our interventions, understanding the difference in impacts between providing $20 or $200 to a household. This data allows us to scale efficiently and effectively.” Robinah Nannungi of AVSI underscored the transformative role of financial technology in bridging informal savings groups with formal banking systems, stating, “Fintech has the potential to increase access to financial services for the most vulnerable, allowing for smoother transitions to formal economies.” Anna Mecagni of BOMA shared insights on the importance of context-specific designs to ensure maximum impact, particularly for rural and climate-affected populations and provided examples of adaptations to program length, targeting, and asset transfers.
The “What’s Next? Funding and Scale” panel, moderated by Victoria Strokova from the Partnership for Economic Inclusion (PEI), shifted the discussion to explore how governments and institutions can sustainably scale graduation programs. Paul Hamlin from USAID’s Development Innovation Ventures (DIV) spoke about how, with DIV support, governments in countries like the Philippines and Indonesia are beginning to redirect social protection investments toward graduation programs, marking a significant shift towards sustainability. Carmen Wilke from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (PRM) reflected on the importance of flexibility and adaptability when scaling these programs in fragile contexts, where external shocks such as conflict or climate crises can challenge long-term outcomes. Zach Hoins of Village Enterprise focused on the role of financial inclusion as a cornerstone for long-term economic empowerment, stressing, “Financial inclusion is the key to making graduation sustainable. It creates pathways for households to move from vulnerability to stability.” Rita Larok of AVSI wrapped up the conversation, reflecting on the momentum, “All this talk of scale is overwhelming—it’s no longer a small kitchen conversation. It’s going to governments, partners, and the world.”
Closing remarks came from Carter Hemphill of USAID, who commended the strength of the Graduating to Resilience program’s implementation, praising the collaboration among USAID, AVSI, Trickle Up, AIR and IPA. He highlighted the long-term impacts of the graduation approach on refugee and host communities, noting its success in promoting self-reliance and economic resilience. Rita Larok of AVSI concluded the summit by reflecting on the transformative power of the program, sharing inspiring stories of participants and emphasizing the three lenses of empowerment: “I have,” representing relationships and assets built; “I can,” symbolizing the skills and confidence gained; and “I am,” capturing the identity and agency participants now possess as active contributors to their communities.
Conclusion
The Graduating to Resilience DC Learning Summit concluded with a renewed commitment to empowering individuals and communities toward self-reliance. Participants gained insights into the Activity’s impact and recognized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to drive innovation in poverty alleviation.
With knowledge from the past seven years, attendees left inspired to advocate for principles that uplift communities globally. By leveraging robust partnerships and evidence-driven interventions, gaps can be bridged, and inclusion can be fostered, ensuring no one is left behind. As we move forward, let’s prioritize scaling proven graduation programs for the ultra-poor and vulnerable, creating sustainable pathways out of poverty and amplifying the voices of the most marginalized. The time for action is now; together, we can redefine the future of poverty alleviation.
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