AVSI Relaunches Proven Poverty Graduation Program in Uganda with $1.5 Million Donor Investment

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cost-effective, high-impact projects that enable extremely poor households to escape poverty funded by USAID were terminated earlier this year; one is able to restart thanks to the coordinated efforts of researchers, philanthropists, and NGO implementers. 

After the abrupt termination of USAID-funded programs—including AVSI's Graduating to Resilience Scale in Uganda—the evidence of success and cost-effectiveness might have been lost. Project Resource Optimization (PRO) reviewed the data, recognized the value, and recommended the program through external channels. This advocacy led to a $1.5 million donor investment, enabling AVSI to relaunch the initiative. 

On September 1, 2025, AVSI launched Graduating to Resilience LOCAL, targeting 1,000 households—10% of the original program size—with an 18-month, comprehensive Graduation Approach. Participants receive consumption support, livelihoods training, financial inclusion, coaching, and social empowerment, equipping them to escape food insecurity and move toward self-reliance. 

A former head of the USAID Mission to Uganda described AVSI's Graduating to Resilience program as "a cost-effective tool to change the historical trend and eradicate poverty from Uganda."

For more information about Graduating to Resilience LOCAL and opportunities to collaborate, please contact Jackie Aldrette, jackie.aldrette@avsi.org.

About AVSI Foundation 
AVSI Foundation is an international civil society organization operating in over 42 countries, delivering development and emergency interventions while prioritizing the holistic care of people. 

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SOURCE AVSI Foundation