The impact of a nutrition-sensitive graduation model on child nutrition: Experimental evidence from Ethiopia

This research brief presents findings from a randomized controlled trial of the Strengthen PSNP Institutions and Resilience (SPIR II) program in Ethiopia, evaluating how a nutrition-sensitive graduation model affects child nutrition, household livelihoods, and poverty. The study found that combining nutrition behavior change communication, savings groups, livelihood support, and maternal cash transfers led to significant improvements in child diet quality, early childhood development, household consumption, savings, and livestock ownership. Among the poorest households, the program also reduced childhood stunting. Results suggest that nutrition education is most effective when paired with financial resources that enable families to act on improved knowledge.