Study Team: Monzur Hossain (Team Leader), Kazi Iqbal, Tata Zafar 

The present study is conducted to evaluate the impact of Nuton Jibon project, a program for livelihood development of the poor and hardcore poor households, which was initiated in 2007 and previously known as Social Investment Program Project (SIPP). The broad objective of this project is to lift the rural poor, hardcore poor and vulnerable people out of poverty through a participatory approach popularly known as Community Driven Development (CDD) in 16 north-western districts. The Phase-II of the project, also called SIPP-II, became effective since December 2010 and is expected to be closed in 2016.

The project broadly aims at improving livelihood, quality of life and resilience to climate vulnerability, natural hazards and other shocks of the rural poor, especially the left out poor and vulnerable households. The specific objectives are: (i) empowering the poor and strengthening local governance by developing sustainable, participatory and accountable rural community institutions; (ii) reducing vulnerability of the poor to risks, in particular those associated with natural hazards and climate variability, (iii) increasing employment opportunities by enhancing skills, supporting the start up or expansion of income generating activities and strengthening access to markets and financial institutions; and (iv) supporting small-scale demand-driven community investment sub-projects that are prioritized, implemented and managed by the rural poor. The aim of this impact assessment study is to assess how much the project objectives are fulfilled.