The impact of a nutrition-sensitive graduation model program on child nutrition: IFPRI discussion paper

This IFPRI discussion paper presents findings from a randomized controlled trial evaluating the SPIR II program in Ethiopia, a nutrition-sensitive graduation model designed to improve both child nutrition and household livelihoods. The study found that behavior change communication and savings group participation increased nutrition knowledge but did not significantly improve child diets or growth on their own. The strongest results occurred when these interventions were combined with maternal cash transfers, leading to improvements in child dietary diversity, early childhood development, household consumption, savings, and productive assets. The largest gains in child growth were observed among the poorest households receiving both maternal cash transfers and livelihood grants.