Impact Evaluation of the 1st Phase of 'SWAPNO'

Abstract

Strengthening Women’s Ability for Productive New Opportunities, also known as SWAPNO is a project undertaken by the Local Government Division, MoLGRD&C and supported by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Bangladesh. The project is basically a public works based program of social safety net for the destitute and vulnerable women of the country which also has a built-in ‘poverty graduation’ mechanism embedded in it. The SWAPNO project is not just a simple safety net program with short term transfers which aims to keep the poor from slipping further into poverty. Rather, it focuses on the long term objective of lifting the poor out of poverty and into resilient and dependable livelihoods so that they may become self-sufficient and no longer dependent on government aid. At the same time, the project also focuses on the empowerment and human capital base development of the beneficiary women through general awareness creation and specific training courses. These interventions are intended to help the women choose and develop sustainable means of livelihood while leading an improved and dignified life.