Inclusive Livelihoods Programme
Inclusive Livelihoods Programme
The Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative (UPGI), led globally by BRAC International, is a proven, evidence-based approach designed to support households living in extreme poverty to achieve long-term economic and social inclusion. Recognised for its effectiveness across diverse contexts, the Graduation model has emerged as one of the most successful strategies for reaching the hardest-to-reach populations.
In India, BRAC is implementing this model through the Inclusive Livelihoods Programme (ILP). The initiative is anchored in a formal partnership with the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and aligns closely with the objectives of the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM). The programme is currently being implemented across five states – Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Telangana with a focus on improving the socio-economic outcomes of women from extremely vulnerable households.
IWWAGE – BRAC Partnership
To support the scale and ambition of ILP, BRAC has partnered with IWWAGE to strengthen programme implementation, deepen gender integration, and generate evidence for learning and scale.
Under this partnership
IWWAGE plays a central role across three key areas:
01 Establishment and Management of the National Project Management Unit (NPMU)
The National Project Management Unit (NPMU) serves as the backbone of the programme, providing strategic direction, coordination, and technical support across all participating states.
IWWAGE leads the establishment and management of the NPMU, ensuring:
- Recruitment of a skilled, multidisciplinary team with expertise in gender, livelihoods, climate adaptation, monitoring and evaluation, and capacity building
- Strong operational, HR, and financial systems
- Consistent implementation standards across states
- Effective coordination with state-level institutions
This centralised structure enables efficient programme delivery while ensuring that gender considerations are integrated across all components of the ILP.
02 Gender Integration Across Programme Verticals
Sustainable poverty reduction requires more than economic inputs, it demands a deliberate focus on women’s agency, mobility, and decision-making power.
IWWAGE leads comprehensive gender orientation programmes for State Project Management Units (SPMUs), helping teams:
- Understand gender norms and structural barriers
- Recognise challenges faced by women from ultra-poor households
- Design interventions that promote meaningful participation and inclusion
- Engage households effectively
- Challenge restrictive gender norms
- Encourage shared decision-making and responsibility
To support on-ground engagement, IWWAGE is developing simple, visual gender flipcharts that facilitate discussions on care work, mobility, decision-making, and empowerment during household visits.
03 Design and Implementation of a Longitudinal Impact Study
A key pillar of the partnership is a longitudinal study being conducted in Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. The study tracks programme outcomes across three stages – baseline, midline, and endline to assess:
- Changes in household well-being
- Livelihood outcomes
- Women’s economic participation and empowerment
The evidence generated will inform programme improvements, support policy dialogue, and guide future scale-up efforts across states.
Capacity Building on Gender
Driving Sustainable and Inclusive Change
Through this partnership, IWWAGE and BRAC are working together to ensure that the Ultra-Poor Graduation Initiative not only strengthens livelihoods but also advances gender equality, social inclusion, and long-term resilience. By placing women at the centre of development efforts, the programme aims to create sustainable pathways for the most marginalised households to lead dignified and empowered lives.
