Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and
Experimentation
DRAFT COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE:
Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and
Experimentation
FACE to FACE PORTION
June 15,- Oct. 23, 2015
Nov. 2-6, 2015
The Carsey School of Public Policy’s Sustainable Microfinance and
Development Program (SMDP)
http://carsey.unh.edu/smdp/online/course-descriptions
ONLINE PORTION:
OFFERED BY:
WEBSITE:
Instructor
Nanci Lee
E-mail: nancilee@eastllink.ca
Skype: nancilee
Webpage: www.nancilee.ca
I. Description
Savings groups (SGs) have gained wide acceptance as a valuable complement to formal and
other informal financial services where people can save, borrow, build assets and receive social
supports, even social services.
Several models and methods have emerged to support SGs. Drivers of scale and impact are
becoming clearer. The course will review these and other key technical aspects of managing
strong SGs including strategies for scale and outreach, double-bottom line reporting and
benchmarking and market research. Innovative cases will be shared including the varied agent
models, clustering/ networking, bank linkages, branchless banking and using SGs as a platform
for other interventions.
Unfortunately, technical solutions are usually not enough. Groups and their members often live
with unpredictable risks and shocks. It is becoming widely accepted that since change is not
linear, our strategies to address them must also use more complexity and adaptation. This
course will be grounded in systems thinking and practice. Students will not only understand how
to analyze systems and measure for complexity. A peer-supported action research assignment
running the length of the online program will allow students to practice adaptive systems
thinking. Taking a key SG issue students will learn, experiment and adapt in real time in their
organizations and communities.
The final portion of the course will take place in Zambia to coincide with a Global Savings Group
Conference. This face-to-face week will be both an advanced intensive for learners to deepen
analysis and application combined with an opportunity to visit and assess Savings Group
programs in Zambia.
The Carsey School of Public Policy • University of New Hampshire
Huddleston Hall, 73 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824 USA
P: 603.862.0764 I F:603.862.3878 I TTY 7-1-1 (Relay NH)
Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and Experimentation
II. Prerequisites

At least 2 years of work experience working with savings groups
III. Learning Outcomes
By the completion of this course, students will have:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Contributed to a constructive online peer-learning community
Understood and applied adaptive systems analysis
Improved action research skills (field assignment)
Understood the role of finance in households and groups within the formal and informal
financial system
Obtained a sound understanding of the various drivers of outreach and scale
Refined their understanding and practiced financial and social performance/impact
reporting
Practiced environmental analysis to understand how savings groups can both
complement and be supported by other interventions, policies and supports
Reviewed relevant and innovative global case-studies that have achieved impressive
scale and impact
IV. Monitoring and Evaluation
Each learner will be rigorously assessed on the outcomes according to the following:



Contributed to a constructive online peer-learning community [20]
Demonstrated understanding of key theory and skills in modules [20]
Understood and applied adaptive systems thinking and improved action research skills
[60]
Organizations sending staff to this course can be assured that there will be a detailed
assessment of the learner’s improved capacities as well as an institutional-level action research
assignment that will be completed throughout the course. Learners will also have opportunities
throughout the course to provide feedback.
V. Modules
Each module will include an introduction, objectives, discussions, readings, webinars and small
group peer exercises to deepen and apply what has been covered in the module. There is one
month to complete the learning modules before another is introduced. In this way, distance
learning allows learners the flexibility to go at their own pace and to customize the learning.
Provided learners meet the requirements of participation in discussions and exercises, they are
free to do the modules in the order that suits them and their work schedules. The expected level
of effort is roughly 7-10 hours per week but there is flexibility how that is done.
VI. Course Outline
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SMDP Carsey School of Public Policy
Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and Experimentation
Module 1: Introduction to Course and Online Learning (June 1-15, 2015). Introductions,
expectations, contributions. Exercises in online learning.
Module 2: Savings Groups and Systems Analysis (June 15- July 15, 2015). Introduction to
systems analysis. Role of savings groups, finance. Locating SGs within various systems and
stakeholders. Webinar: systems analysis.
Module 3: Models of Outreach and Scale (July 15 - Aug. 15, 2015). Various drivers of outreach
and scale. Global case-studies. Webinar: Panel of experts from programs that have achieved
broad scale and impact. Asking strategic questions.
Module 4: Double Bottom-Line Monitoring and Impact (Aug. 15 - Sep. 15, 2015). Combining
financial and social reporting. Outcome-mapping. Benchmarking our programs. Matching
methods to our questions. Webinar: SAVIX savings groups database.
Module 5: Scanning the Environment and Savings Groups as Platforms (Sep. 15 - Oct. 15,
2015). Environmental analysis. Considerations for using SGs as platforms. Sound data
analysis. Webinar: Using SGs as social platforms.
Module 6: Wrap-Up, Evaluation, Preparation for Zambia (Oct. 15-23, 2015)
Module 7: Zambia Face-to-face Portion. Field intensive advanced practitioner seminar. (Nov. 26, 2015)
VII. Readings (Mandatory and Optional)
Case-Studies (Papers and Webinars)
Allen, Hugh and David Panetta. (2010). Savings groups: What are they? Washington, DC,
United States: SEEP Network
Asia Pacific Cultural Centre for UNESCO. How to Form a Savings Group. Accessed April 2,
2015. http://www.accu.or.jp/litdbase/pub/dlmanual/AJP59.pdf
Fowler, Ben and David Panetta. (2011). Beyond Financial Services: Improving Access to Basic
Financial Services and Agricultural Input and Output Markets by Smallholder Farmers in
Zimbabwe. Ottawa, Canada: Aga Khan Foundation. Accessed March 17, 2015
http://www.akdn.org/publications/beyond_financial_services_access_by_smallholder_farmers_z
imbabwe.pdf [Linkages with local agro-dealers]
Asombobillah, R. (2011). Harnessing the Power of Savings and Lending Communities to Drive
Agroenterprise Development in Ghana. Accra, Ghana: Catholic Relief Services.
Microsave review of CRS-PSP program (good for showing methodology)
Beijuka, John and Samson Odele. (2007). Savings and Internal Lending Communities (SILC) in
Uganda: Program Review. [Good example for showing different research methods]
CARE. (2013). New Models for Linking Informal Savings Groups to Formal Financial Services.
London, United Kingdom: CARE UK.
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Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and Experimentation
CARE. (December 2014). Savings Groups and Mobile Banking: Care’s Experience in Kenya
and Tanzania. Webinar.
Fowler, Ben and Candace Nelson. (2011). Beyond Financial Services: Combining Savings
Groups with Agricultural Marketing in Tanzania. Ottawa, Canada: Aga Khan Foundation.
Accessed March 17, 2015. [Federating SG into collective marketing structures]
http://www.akdn.org/publications/beyond_financial_services_agricultural_marketing_tanzania.pd
f
FSD Kenya. (?) Post-Project Replication of Groups in COSALO. Nairobi, Kenya: Digital Data
Divide. [Shows group replication vs. village agent vs. field agent]
Jahns, Elke. (2012). A Study conducted in Association with Catholic Relief Services and the
Agriculture for Basic Needs Project. Medford, United States: The Fletcher School of Law and
Diplomacy, Tufts University. [Uses poverty score-cards]
Lee, Nanci. (2008). Savings Groups and Women’s Rights. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Farm Africa
Ethiopia.
Levai, D, Paul Rippey and Elizabeth Rhyne. (2011). Microfinance and Energy Poverty: Findings
from the Energy Links Project. Boston, United States: ACCION International.
Mendoza, Guijovanny and Carlos Caceres. (June 2014) Partnering with Government: Savings
Groups in Colombia. IED Vital. SMDP Webinar. [SG linkage with government]
Mutamuliza, Claudine, Paul Rippey and Charlotte Usanase. (2012). Consultancy for Community
Managed Savings and Loan Groups: Best Practice Development and Market Linkage
Assessment/Pilot Project.
O’Dell, Marcia. (2011). Beyond Financial Services: WORTH Nepal- Assessing the Value added
and Sustainability of a Holistic Approach to Women’s Empowerment. Accessed March 17, 2015
http://www.akdn.org/publications/beyond_financial_services_women_empowerment_nepal.pdf
Oxfam America, World Food Programme. (April 2014). Building Resilience: Harnessing
Community Savings Groups for Integrated Risk Management. Webinar.
Panetta, David and Kate Conroy. (2011). Beyond Financial Services: The DFID Chars
Livelihood Programme in Northern Bangladesh: The Promotion of Village Savings and Loan
Associations in a Multi-Input, Rural Livelihoods Programme. Accessed March 17, 2015. [asset
transfer safety net program]
http://www.akdn.org/publications/beyond_financial_services_chars_livelihood_programme_ban
gladesh.pdf
Parrot, Lisa. (2008). Kibara Mission Hospital HIV Project, Tanzania- Phase II Savings and
Internal Lending Communities. Washington, DC, United States: SEEP, Catholic Relief Services.
Rippey, Paul and Candace Nelson (2011). Marketing Solar Lamps through Savings Groups”
Emerging Lessons from Uganda. Accessed March 17, 2015
http://www.akdn.org/publications/beyond_financial_services_marketing_solar_lamps_uganda.p
df
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Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and Experimentation
Wolfe, Jason and Dionisio Matos. (2014). Saving Money, Saving Lives: Savings Groups in
HIV/AIDS Affected Populations. Maputo, Mozambique: USAID. Webinar.
Zollmann, Julie. (2010). Waiting for Rain, Reaching for Mangoes: Savings groups in Swaziland.
Conceptual Papers and Webinars
Association for Women’s Rights in Development. (2005) How Does Change Happen? Bangkok,
Thailand: AWID FORUM.
Allen, Hugh. (2007). Savings-led Financial Services Working Group: Ratios Sub Group.
Washington, DC, United States: The SEEP Network.
Cassar, Alessandra and Bruce Wydick. (2009). Does Social Capital Matter? Evidence from a
Five-Country Group Lending Experiment. San Francisco, United States: Department of
Economics, University of San Francisco.
Catholic Relief Services (2010). PSP Network Development- An Update from Uganda.
Baltimore, United States.
Ferguson, Michael. (2012). Group Performance in Fee-for-Service Savings Groups. Baltimore,
United States: Catholic Relief Services.
Ferguson, Michael (2012). Agent Productivity in Fee-for-Service Savings Groups. Baltimore,
United States: Catholic Relief Services.
Gash, Megan and Kathleen Odell. (2013). The Evidence-Based Story of Savings Groups.
Washington, DC, United States: The SEEP Network.
Gibson, Susan & Associates. The Power of Strategic Questions. Accessed April 6, 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7BkGLVBqs4
Hallie Preskill, Srik Gopal, Katelyn Mack, Joelle Cook. Evaluating Complexity: Propositions for
Improving Practice. FSG. Accessed April 12, 2015.
http://www.fsg.org/tabid/413/Default.aspx?loc=/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/PDF/Evaluating_
Complexity.pdf&cpgn=WP%20DL%20-%20Evaluating%20Complexity
Johnson, Susan. (2015) Informal Financial Practices and Social Networks: Transaction
Genealogies. Nairobi, Kenya: FSD Kenya
Johnson, Susan and J Boulton. (2014). Impact Assessment of Financial Market Development
Through the Lens of Complexity Theory. Nairobi, Kenya: Financial Sector Deepening Kenya.
Lee, Nanci. (2013). Group Rating Tool (for cooperatives and savings groups). Nampula,
Mozambique.
Lee, Nanci (2009). Complex enough to Capture, Simple Enough to Use: FDES’ Early Lessons
from a Multi-Country Social Performance Monitoring System. Fribourg, Switzerland: FIDES Ltd.
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Savings Groups: Building Scale and Impact through Adaptation and Experimentation
Loupeda, Christian, Aly Ouedraogo and Megan Gash (2015). Pilot Project Report: Using Mobile
Money to link Savings Groups to Financial Institutions. Davis, California, United States:
Freedom from Hunger. Accessed April 2, 2015.
http://www.seepnetwork.org/filebin/pdf/savings_led_working_group/Freedom_from_Hunger_Fin
ancial_Linkages_Pilot_Project_Report_v2_eng.pdf
Maddocks, William, Hugh Allen and John Schiller. (May 2014). The Importance of Monitoring
Savings Groups: An Inside Look at the SAVIX. Webinar.
Rippey, Paul. (2010). More, better, cheaper: Savings Groups as Commodities.
Rippey, Paul and Ben Fowler (2011). A Synthesis of Studies on the Integration of Savings
Groups and other Development Activities. Ottawa, Canada: Aga Khan Foundation. Accessed
March 17, 2015.
http://www.akdn.org/publications/2011_akf_beyond_financial_services.pdf
Senge, Peter, Hal Hamilton and John Kania. (2015). The Dawn of System Leadership in
Stanford Social Innovation Review. Accessed April 7, 2015.
http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/the_dawn_of_system_leadership
Stanford Social Innovation Review Editors. (2014). Leading Systems. Accessed April 7, 2015
http://www.ssireview.org/articles/entry/leading_systems#leadingsystems
Systems thinking – A Cautionary Tale. Cats in Borneo. Accessed April 3, 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=17BP9n6g1F0
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