For Immediate Release
Contact:
Karen Levy,
Director, Global Innovation,
Evidence Action
202-5256366 or [email protected]
‘No Lean Season’ Announces Major Grant from Global Innovation Fund
New project takes aim at rural seasonal poverty
WASHINGTON, DC — March 23, 2017 — No Lean Season, a program of nonprofit organization Evidence Action, today announced major support from the Global Innovation Fund. The Global Innovation Fund (GIF) is a London-headquartered investor in social innovations that aim to improve the lives and opportunities of millions of people in the developing world.
The total investment from GIF for the next two years is $2,571,210. The funds will be used to support the rigorous testing and expansion of No Lean Season in Bangladesh and Indonesia.
No Lean Season reduces seasonal poverty through $20 conditional cash transfers to poor rural laborers in developing countries. This allows them to travel to a nearby city to find temporary work, and earn wages to support their families. Globally, 600 million poor people in rural areas experience severe poverty and hunger for several months during the year.
Alix Zwane, CEO of the Global Innovation Fund notes: “GIF invests in innovations with the potential to improve the lives of millions of the world’s poorest. We’re pleased to be partnering with No Lean Season and Evidence Action on this important and potentially game-changing program aimed at reducing the tragic impacts of seasonal poverty on some of the poorest people in Asia.”
Says Karen Levy, Director of Global Innovation at Evidence Action: “Support from forward-looking donors like GIF is critical as we test the social impact of No Lean Season as we grow the program. We are thrilled to be partners in this venture.”
Researchers at Yale University found that with the additional earnings from seasonal labor in cities, poor rural farmers can provide an additional meal for every member of their family, every day, for three months. The program estimates that No Lean Season may be ten times as cost-effective as food aid, the most common response to seasonal hunger.
No Lean Season has previously received funding from Good Ventures, a Silicon Valley philanthropic fund, and is a Y Combinator company, participating in its startup accelerator.
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