This piece marks the first in a new blog series unveiling Trickle Up’s strategic direction for 2026–2030. At the heart of our refreshed mission is a commitment to strengthening the capacity of local actors—governments, CSOs, CBOs, and NGOs—to design and deliver locally led economic inclusion programs for the poorest and most vulnerable populations. Throughout July and August, we’ll share insights into our new strategic framework, our evolving approaches, and how innovation, research, and data will guide us toward achieving our long-term vision. 

In a world where nearly 700 million people still live on less than $2.15 a day and global aid budgets are shrinking, the urgency to find scalable, inclusive solutions to extreme poverty has never been greater.  

Over the past two decades, global progress in poverty reduction has slowed, and in some regions, reversed. A convergence of crises—from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate change and geopolitical instability—has deepened vulnerabilities and widened inequalities. As we approach the 2030 deadline for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is clear that traditional approaches are no longer enough. 

At Trickle Up, we believe that to truly “leave no one behind,” we must go further, reaching the most marginalized communities with solutions that are not only effective but also scalable and sustainable. That’s why we’re proud to introduce our new strategy for 2026–2030: Scaling Economic Inclusion Through Local Systems Change. 

The Imperative for Scalable, Inclusive Solutions 

While global economic growth once played a central role in reducing poverty, today’s challenges demand more targeted, context-specific interventions. National social protection systems—such as cash transfers, public works programs, and food assistance—have helped build resilience, but they can be significantly enhanced through longer-term, sustainable solutions that reach the poorest and most vulnerable: those in remote, climate-affected, or socially excluded communities. 

Rural poverty in India has declined significantly, yet states like Jharkhand and Odisha continue to experience high poverty rates, while nearly 30% of people in Latin America and the Caribbean live in poverty—especially in urban areas affected by economic stagnation and climate shocks. Meanwhile, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the epicenter of extreme poverty, with 464 million people living below the poverty line despite projected economic growth. 

These realities underscore the need for solutions that go beyond economic growth—solutions that are inclusive, adaptive, and rooted in local realities. 

Trickle Up’s Legacy and Vision 

Since 1979, Trickle Up has worked alongside local partners to support people living in extreme poverty across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Our mission is grounded in the belief that all people—regardless of geography, gender, disability, or status—deserve the opportunity to build dignified, self-determined lives. 

Over the past four decades, we’ve reached more than 2.3 million people through graduation-based economic inclusion programs. These programs provide a sequenced, time-bound package of support that empowers participants to build sustainable livelihoods and greater resilience through livelihood training, asset transfers, coaching, and access to savings groups. 

Over the past year, a new leadership team reaffirmed our commitment to transformational change and positioned Trickle Up to dramatically scale its impact over the next five years. 

Our Strategic Shift 

Our new strategy is built on a simple but powerful idea: locally led development is key to sustainable impact. 

We are investing in the capacity of local actors—including governments, community-based organizations (CBOs), civil society organizations (CSOs), and NGOs—to design, adapt, and deliver economic inclusion programs that are tailored to their communities. 

In doing so, we continue our journey of program co-implementation alongside local partners to innovate and learn, but we’re also taking it one step further and shifting to technical assistance as a pathway to scale. We’ll support local adaptations of the graduation approach, expand partner capacity, and co-design scalable, context-specific programs that deepen local ownership. 

This shift reflects a broader commitment to on-the-ground, local change. By embedding proven approaches within national platforms, such as social protection systems, we can reach more people, more effectively, and with greater sustainability. 

Our Theory of Change 

Trickle Up’s Theory of Change centers on locally led, sequenced, and time-bound economic inclusion programs that foster economic empowerment, resilience, and social inclusion. Economic inclusion programs combine interventions that may include 

• Economic empowerment through interventions such as seed capital, skills training, and market linkages  

• Resilience building via consumption support, financial services, and climate adaptation  

• Social inclusion through coaching, digital access, and community engagement  

All interventions will be delivered through a gender-transformative, climate-sensitive, and market-driven lens to ensure sustainability and equity. 

A Global Network for Local Impact 

Central to our strategy is our growing network of over 100 partners—more than 80% of which are already locally led. This means they are rooted in the communities they serve, governed and staffed by local leaders, and equipped with the contextual knowledge and trust needed to drive sustainable change from within. 

These partnerships are not just a means of implementation; they are the foundation of our approach. Local organizations bring deep knowledge of their communities, cultural context, and the barriers people face. Our role is to support and strengthen their efforts through technical assistance, capacity building, and knowledge sharing. 

Through this network, we are building a global community of practice in economic inclusion. We contribute to global platforms such as the Partnership for Economic Inclusion (PEI) at the World Bank and the Graduation Community of Practice, helping to shape the future of inclusive development. 

Looking to the Future 

Trickle Up is more committed than ever to advancing scalable, inclusive solutions that reach the last mile. As part of this strategy, we are placing greater emphasis on strengthening our data systems to enable real-time program tracking, create feedback loops for continuous learning, and KPIs that reflect our strategic priorities. Our strategy is not just about numbers—it’s about people. It’s about ensuring that a woman in rural Odisha or a person with a disability in Guatemala has the tools, support, and opportunity to build a better life. 

We invite our partners, supporters, and fellow changemakers to join us on this journey. Together, we can build a world where no one is left behind. 

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