Poverty Reduction and Human Development: Impact of ENRICH Programme on Income Poverty in Bangladesh

This article aims to analyse the impact of the ENRICH programme (a holistic microfinance programme with multiple intervention) in poverty alleviation. It is based on a survey of 1,800 households selected both in programme implemented and control areas. The cost of basic needs method was used in this study to calculate the poverty lines for the year 2015. This study shows that there has been a significant impact of the ENRICH programme on poverty. The programme has resulted in an additional 10 percentage point poverty reduction in the programme areas, besides contributing to a decrease in the number of extremely poor households over time. Moreover, it has contributed to social and community development with its participants feeling more respected and dignified than before.