Trickle Up utilizes a graduation approach to help marginalized people start and run a profitable business to earn, save and empower them to build better lives. The process begins by selecting participants. Together with the local communities, the organization maps the communities and identifies the most in-need families. The team interviews each family to make sure they comply with the enrollment criteria and are willing to participate in the program.
The second step is to make a market analysis. For this phase, it is essential to have community-based partners, as they know the local markets. Together with Trickle Up, they help women find ways to start profitable businesses. Next comes the implementation phase. Building a solid foundation is vital as families in extreme poverty face very tough challenges every day. Trickle up provides them with a grant to meet their basic needs and focus on the future.
Then, with start-up capital and training, the organization helps women turn ideas into profitable businesses. After just a few months, the participants earn enough profit to support their families and save. Savings are key. That is why Trickle Up creates savings groups within participants so they can save for the future and support each other. They also make loans and help their members to start or expand a business. Finally, after 18 months, the participants graduate out of poverty. They are now able to feed their families, send their children to school, and have savings. They also become an inspiration for others.
