Cash transfer programs often serve two goals: (a) targeting immediate poverty alleviation, and (b) supporting long–term livelihood development. To achieve both objectives, cash transfer programs need to not only ensure effective delivery of cash, but help recipients to direct that support towards achieving their long–term goals. Behavioral science suggest that many people don’t actively think about how to spend an infusion of cash prior to receiving it. This often means it is less likely for the money to be directed towards their long–term goals (e.g. starting a business), but rather consumed for immediate needs (e.g. family requests). 

Fortunately, evidence has shown that small changes such as concrete goal–setting, commitment devices, and group accountability structures can create an easy avenue for cash transfer beneficiaries to achieve their goals. In this project, Busara was commissioned to design a set of behavioral interventions that would improve the likelhood that cash transfer beneficiaries would meet their savings goals.