Assessing the Impact and Cost of Economic Inclusion Programs: A Synthesis of Evidence

This paper analyzes global evidence on the impact and costs of economic inclusion programs to transform lives households communities living in extreme poverty. The analysis uses 107 quantitative qualitative evaluations from 80 programs. Additionally, presents costing data 34 programs, surveyed using a newly developed PEI Quick Costing Tool 2020. represent range sectors, geographies, contexts, target populations; were both nongovernmental organization- government-led; implemented through social safety nets, livelihoods jobs, financial inclusion. Despite challenges small number studies available limited comparability cost data, findings indicate that broad show promising potentially sustained wide outcomes, with bundled set interventions showing larger income, assets, savings relative stand-alone interventions. In many cases, overall is largely driven by single component -- most frequently, business capital or consumption support. its discussion, explores drivers optimization strategies, preparing preliminary understanding cost-effectiveness also identifies key areas for further research, including need shift discussion program stand-alone, nonprofit-led government-led programs; opportunity use more systematic base comparable outcomes indicators; prospects disaggregated inform policy programming decisions intentionally.