Savings Groups "Plus" for Orphans and Vulnerable Children

This paper takes the position that in PEPFAR OVC programs, SGs should be part of an integrated program (SG+) that uses savings groups as a platform to deliver development interventions beyond finance or business support. The “plus” interventions should add value by increasing SG effectiveness and ideally generate interaction effects that lead to greater impact on child-level outcomes than either intervention would have alone. This paper aims to assist SG practitioners in supporting PEPFAR OVC programs effectively. It discusses: the needs and priorities of PEPFAR OVC programming and how they shape SG programming; what evidence exists on good or promising practices for SG programming that serves PEPFAR OVC needs; and what key gaps in the evidence base need to be addressed to advance future programming. Additionally, it proposes high-level guidance for SG+ programming for OVC.