Research by George Washington University
In 2023-2024, George Washington University (GW) Professors Dr. Michelle Kelso and Jennifer Fox, in collaboration with Kenyan economist Dr. Laura Barasa, began the most comprehensive external evaluation of the Zoe Empowers program to date, measuring the effectiveness and impact of Zoe’s empowerment model.
Starting with a Process Evaluation
The GW team first conducted a process evaluation of Zoe’s programs in Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Rwanda to ensure the program is being implemented as planned. They examined the specific activities, procedures, and operations involved in delivering the empowerment program, and identified areas for improvement.
Measuring Impact in Rwanda
Using insights gained from this process evaluation, Kelso and Fox began measuring program impact with a randomized controlled trial in the Ruhango District of Rwanda. This trial utilizes a comprehensive survey covering four key areas: business and income, food security and nutrition, well-being, and health and housing.
These measures can also be evaluated against national indicators to compare Zoe participants with the national population. Five hundred new participants who joined the program in July 2024 were interviewed, along with four hundred orphaned children and vulnerable youth not joining the Zoe program until July 2025.
While randomized controlled trials are considered the gold standard in poverty research, they require that a control group, not in the empowerment program, also be measured alongside active participants to assess impact while controlling for other factors. This is why the study lasts only one year, after which the control group members can join the active Zoe program.
What Comes Next
The GW team plans to publish both the process evaluation work as well as the randomized controlled trial impact results, in addition to pursuing other methods of publicizing the results of this study.
While much work on the study remains, the GW team says, “We have been deeply impressed by the Zoe staff’s heartfelt dedication, the Zoe Empowers participants’ commitment and mutual support, and the excellent synergy between Zoe Empowers and local governments.”