Many programs that aim to help people in poverty are tailored to specific households. But often, entire communities can be living in poverty. Researchers partnered with the NGO Raising the Village to conduct a randomized evaluation of a universal livelihoods program in Uganda that offered a bundle of services including trainings to entire villages. Households across wealth levels in villages offered the program became better off, increasing their income, wealth, and consumption.

Floods are an extremely destructive and increasingly common threat to rural agricultural households in countries without strong social safety nets. Researchers conducted a randomized evaluation to study the welfare impacts of a new microcredit product which guarantees credit access to agricultural households after a flood. Households eligible for the Emergency Loan increased their profitable investments prior to a flood event and stabilized their consumption after a flood occurred. The emergency loans were also profitable for the private organization giving out the loan.