Support of Social Development Foundation (SDF) and Its Impact on the Livelihood of Poor and Hardcore Poor Families: A Case of Two Villages in Bangladesh

Abstract

This study was conducted in order to understand the livelihood improvement of the poor and hardcore poor families by utilizing the project support. Associated objectives included to understand the women empowerment and change in other social areas. This was a three months study carried out between mid-September to mid-December 2016 with the stakeholders of the Social Investment Program Project (SIPP) implemented by Social Development Foundation (SDF) (An autonomous body of Finance Ministry of Bangladesh). A field survey was carried out in November 2016, through FGD sessions and key informant interviews with selected poor and hardcore families of two project villages under Jamalpur District. Respondents totaled 80 in these surveys. Discussion was also held with the project staffs and leaders of the Village Organizations to learn more about the details of project activities. Through the study it is revealed that with the project support the beneficiaries are able to start income generating activities and also able to save on regular basis. Change also observed in other areas like sanitation, housing, women empowerment water source etc. It was found that the concerned members of the village organizations are very much interested in continuing with income generating and social development activities. Based on the findings, the study makes the following recommendations as; for future sustainability the village organizations needed to be registered under respective government department. More initiative is needed for new leadership development. Presently the leadership found concentrated on few members.  All sorts of documentation, financial and others needed to be maintained and update regularly in a transparent way. Ensure group meetings in regular basis with maximum participation.  More Initiative is required to develop market channel and group investment.

Keywords: Social Development Foundation(SDF), Impact, Livelihood,  Poor and Hardcore Poor Families, Bangladesh