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a b s t r a c tChild malnutrition is a pervasive problem in sub-Saharan Africa that affects individual and national development. This article examines the impact of participation in village savings and loan (VSL) groups, alone and in combination with a rotating labor scheme called Ajuda Mútua (AM), on household and child nutritional outcomes in Nampula Province in Mozambique. It combines findings from an impact evaluation and a qualitative exploration of the dynamics underlying nutritional outcomes. Three pairs of districts were randomly allocated to two interventions (VSL or VSL + AM) or control. The impact evaluation utilized a prospective, longitudinal design. In total, 1276 households were surveyed at baseline in 2009 and three years later. Difference-in-difference propensity score matching models estimated program impacts on months of food sufficiency and household dietary diversity scores (HDDS) at the household level, and on individual dietary diversity scores (IDDS) and weight-for-age at the child level. In the qualitative study, indepth interviews (IDIs) were completed with a subset of 36 VSL and 36 VSL + AM participants from two districts who had taken part in the two surveys. Transcripts were analyzed using thematic analysis. Survey data indicate that both interventions had a statistically significant, positive effect on months of food sufficiency. The HDDS increased for VSL + AM households and their matched controls; however, the increase was smaller for the VSL + AM group. The difference in increase between the two groups was statistically significant. At the child level, participation in VSL only was found to increase the IDDS. There was no significant effect for weight-for-age. Mean values for both the HDDS and the IDDS remained low. IDIs confirmed that there were improvements in seasonal and transitory food insecurity, which occur when recurring periods of extreme scarcity or sporadic crises are experienced. Due to the timing of the cycle, VSLs provided participants with an infusion of cash to purchase food during the hunger season. VSLs and AMs also offered mechanisms to cope with unexpected events through loans and social support. However, IDIs highlighted lack of money as a persistent challenge in accessing foods to supplement home-grown staples for a diversified nutritional intake. Though parents tended to be aware of the nutritional needs of children, they faced financial constraints in meeting them. There were also indications of a sex gap between control over resources by men and the role played by women in child nutrition. Findings underscore the potential of economic-strengthening activities such as VSLs for improving seasonal and transitory food security, but highlight the need for additional supporting interventions in order to overcome chronic nutritional challenges.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine the impact of savings and loan groups (SGs), alone and combined with a rotating labor scheme (Ajuda Mútua), on the economic conditions of the rural poor in Nampula province in Mozambique. Design/methodology/approach Three pairs of districts were randomized into receiving SG, SG and AM, or no intervention. The study used a mixed-methods sequential explanatory design. Data from a longitudinal survey of 1,276 households were analyzed using difference-in-difference estimation to assess the impact of SGs on income and asset ownership. Thematic analysis of in-depth interviews with 72 program participants explored specific contributions of SGs to economic outcomes. Findings Survey results show that program participation had a significant, positive impact on income and asset ownership. Qualitative results indicate that SGs allowed households to bridge seasonal food consumption gaps and meet cash needs during crises. Accumulated savings supported asset purchases. Program activities supported agricultural activity, but enterprise development had limited scope. Challenges to economic development included cultural aversion to risk, inadequate agricultural inputs, low market integration, and limited business opportunities. Practical implications SGs helped reduce vulnerability to stress events. Programs should analyze the wider structural context to foster a positive enabling environment, and combine SGs with relevant enterprise development services for additional benefits. Originality/value The importance of savings is increasingly acknowledged, but the contributions and limitations of SGs are not fully understood. This paper also highlights the role of structural context, which remains undervalued in the literature.

Economic strengthening interventions may increase income, assets, and food security. Donors and implementers see the potential for improvements in child well-being. This article presents lessons learnt from the implementation of two economic strengthening interventions. It finds missed opportunities with regard to child nutrition, and recommends: (1) integrating economic strengthening interventions with complementary development activities; (2) deep formative assessment to inform programme design; and (3) the use of community-based feedback loops. Development practitioners, funders, policymakers, and researchers must take every opportunity to improve the lives of children as young as possible to build healthy families, communities, and nations.Les interventions de renforcement économique peuvent avoir pour impact l'augmentation des revenus, des actifs et de la sécurité alimentaire. Les donateurs et les responsables de la mise en application des politiques y voient un potentiel pour l'amélioration du bien-être des enfants. Cet article présente les leçons apprises lors de la mise en application de deux interventions de renforcement économique. Il révèle des occasions manquées en rapport avec la nutrition de l'enfant, et recommande: (1) l'intégration des interventions de renforcement économique à des activités complémentaires de développement; (2) une évaluation formative en profondeur pour orienter l'élaboration des programmes; et (3) un retour communautaire d'informations. Les praticiens du développement, les donateurs, les décideurs politiques et les chercheurs doivent saisir toutes les opportunités d'amélioration de la vie des enfants dès leur plus jeune âge afin de contribuer à la fondation de familles, de communautés et de nations.Las intervenciones orientadas a fortalecer ciertos aspectos económicos pueden derivar en ingresos más elevados, en el aumento del número de activos y en mayor seguridad alimentaria, lo que determina que tanto los donantes como los operadores vean su potencial para mejorar el bienestar de los niños. El presente artículo da cuenta de los aprendizajes surgidos a partir de la implementación de dos intervenciones enfocadas en ciertos aspectos económicos. Al respecto, se detectaron oportunidades no aprovechadas en términos de la nutrición de los niños. Por ello el artículo recomienda: (1) integrar las intevenciones para fortalecer la economía mediante la realización de actividades de desarrollo complementarias; (2) realizar un profundo análisis formativo destinado a orientar el diseño de programas; y (3) hacer uso de circuitos de retroalimentación comunitarios. Los operadores de desarrollo, ARTICLE HISTORY

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