1. INVESTING IN
SUSTAINABLE
SOLUTIONS
INTEGRATION OF CARE GROUP AND
SAVINGS-LED EMPOWERMENT MODEL
Carolyn Kruger, Ph.D.
Sr. Advisor, MNCH
PCI
April 23, 2013

2. TOPS Small Grant Opportunity: Liberia LAUNCH
(Liberian Agricultural Upgrading Nutritional and Child Health)
Innovation in Social and Behavior Change in Food
Security and Nutrition Programming
Integration of the Care Group MCHN BCC Model
with the GROW Social and Economic Development Model:
Synergies in Food and Nutrition Security Programming
Opportunity to
expand the
Traditional Care
Groups with GROW
methodology to
West Africa
Opportunity to
conduct operational
research, show
leadership in
implementing
savings groups
within different
contexts, as well as
the immense impact
of integrated
strategies

3. “Grass Roots Building our Own Wealth”
An approach to community mobilization and
development that aims to empower vulnerable
populations socially, economically, and
politically. Local Community Facilitators
organize and capacitate self-managed savings
groups focused on building the economic AND
social capital of members
 Combines best practices in savings group models
 Unique aspects that intentionally build social
capital of members/communities
 Remarkable preliminary results in reduced
poverty and perceived helplessness among poor
women caregivers
What is the GROW Model?
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
GROW MODEL:
 Primarily targets women
 Self-generated resources
 Rotational leadership

Members have similar
socio-economic status
 Self-managed

Platform for development
of social capital

4. Structure
Traditional Care Group Structure Integrated GROW Groups
Results
• Improved MNCH
Behavior Change
• Improved Social
Economic
Capital
Improved
Health and
Livelihood
Security

5. Key Challenges
1. Time burden - monitor time burden that
women face participating in both models.
2. Staff capacity to implement both models
together.
3. Determining multiple benefits from
implementing two models together
(comparison analysis will be conducted).

6. INVESTING IN SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS
 Sustainable: Target programs
that change lives now and
for future generations
 Cost Effective: Engage
communities and families in
solutions
 Leverage: Achieve multiplier
effect by leveraging grant
funding with increased
private support
Thank You