Sharing our learning and experiences: the Graduating to Resilience Activity webinar series.

Since the launch of the Graduating to Resilience Activity this initiative has enhanced the lives of over 13,000 households in Uganda.

In partnership with Trickle Up and American Institute for Research and with the support from USAID, the Graduation model is reducing poverty and improving livelihoods.

As we mark this significant milestone, we organized a series of global events designed to share the insights and achievements from this transformative program and the model. These gatherings served as platforms for learning, discussion, and collaboration, aiming to showcase the Graduation model as a global benchmark.

April 24, AVSI, together with our partners USAID, Trickle Up, and AIR, hosted an insightful webinar on the “Adaptation of the Graduation Approach” as part of our ongoing series of learning events. The discussion delved into the adaptation nuances of the Graduating to Resilience Activity in Uganda.

Jackie Aldrette, Deputy Secretary General of AVSI Foundation, began by affirming that the Graduation Approach has been tried, tested, and proven effective. This matters greatly to us at AVSI and our donors like USAID, as we are committed to implementing strategies that reflect the best evidence to uplift livelihoods and save lives.

Adaptation is key to this success, for we understand that reality is complex and contexts vary. That’s why we ensure that our approach is human-centered, tailoring our interventions to the specific needs and realities of the communities we serve.

During the webinar, we explored various aspects of the Activity and how they were adapted, including targeting, coaching, social cohesion, food security, scalability, and more. We also shed light on our decision-making processes, emphasizing the importance of informed choices backed by studies, evaluations, and external feedback. As well as, intentional pause and reflect moments in the project lifecycle, to allow us to pilot and test changes before scaling up and ensure that our interventions are not only effective, but also sustainable.

The Graduation Approach has proven to be a highly cost-effective way to support vulnerable populations in diverse contexts. We are excited to continue our journey of learning and exploration, uncovering how this model can further transform lives, not just in Uganda, but across the globe.

On May 29, AVSI, in collaboration with USAID, Trickle Up, and AIR, hosted its second webinar. The moderator, Glynnis Melnicove from AIR, highlighted the graduation approach, developed by BRAC in 2002, which helps refugees and Ugandan households transition from food insecurity to self-sufficiency through the "Graduating to Resilience" activity. Jenny Haddle from Save the Children discussed the dynamic role of the Theory of Change (ToC) in program design and management, emphasizing its importance in problem analysis and conveying the program's vision. John Paul Nyeko of AVSI Uganda highlighted ToC's role in achieving program goals through flexibility and evidence-based decision-making. Rita Larok of AVSI Uganda shared lessons from using the Theory of Constraints (TOC), stressing the value of supportive donors and real-time data for adaptive management.

Finally, during the Q&A session, topics such as participant selection, enhancing ToC interactivity, and integrating internal and external data for decision-making were discussed. The session concluded with key takeaways on the need for a dynamic ToC process, dedicated resources, and stakeholder buy-in for effective implementation. The webinar underscored adaptive strategies in resilience-building and the effectiveness of the Graduation Approach.

The webinar concluded with a Q&A covering asset transfer, financial literacy, and business challenges. Rita Larok highlighted the program's success in enhancing market access and financial linkages, stressing the importance of early market actor involvement, financial literacy integration, and business coaching for sustained impact.

The September 4 webinar focused on the critical role of accountability mechanisms in the successful implementation of AVSI Foundation's Graduating to Resilience Activity. 

John Paul Nyeko, senior monitoring evaluation and learning advisor for AVSI, began by welcoming participants and emphasizing the importance of accountability to affected populations as a guiding principle in project implementation. He noted, "Accountability is not just a component; it is a guiding principle that promotes participation, transparency, trust, and responsibility to all stakeholders." He provided an overview of the Graduating to Resilience Activity, highlighting its goal to "graduate extremely poor refugees and Ugandans from food insecurity to self-reliance." 

Derrick Nsibirwa , research and learning advisor for AVSI, provided an in-depth look at the multiple feedback mechanisms used in the project, categorized into reactive methods (e.g., toll-free lines, suggestion boxes) and proactive approaches (e.g., standing committees, post-distribution monitoring). He emphasized, "We deploy multiple accountability mechanisms to solicit feedback, but also to share information. These mechanisms are vital for fostering trust and participation within the community." 

Proactive methods, such as standing committees, were highlighted as particularly effective for gathering participant feedback, ensuring that the voices of the community were heard and acted upon. Derrick noted, "The onus is on us to go to the community, to discuss and collect information. This proactive approach is crucial for building trust and ensuring that we are responsive to the needs of those we serve." 

He also discussed managing the feedback system, where a dedicated staff member compiled data into a management information system. The toll-free line, manned by a multilingual operator, was particularly effective in accommodating diverse participants. Non-sensitive issues were resolved within 1-5 days, while more sensitive cases could take up to 30 days to resolve. 

Derrick shared examples of adaptations made based on feedback, such as improving mobile money access and addressing water treatment issues, demonstrating how the feedback loop led to tangible improvements in the project. He emphasized, "These adaptations were made, and the results are self-evident, showing in our data." 

The webinar also covered challenges and best practices for implementing accountability systems, including the importance of context-specific mechanisms and staff language skills. The presenters underscored the value of blending traditional and proactive accountability methods for comprehensive feedback, ensuring that all voices are heard. 

Join us at the upcoming Learning Summit in Washington, DC from September 23-25, 2024 for an inspiring opportunity to share valuable insights from the Graduating to Resilience Activity as the project nears its conclusion. This summit will be an exciting platform to collaboratively explore future directions in poverty alleviation and self-reliance initiatives