BIG Pilot Project - Assessment Report - BIG Coalition Namibia

Section 2: Impact AssessmentAverage monthly per capita income in N$N$ 250(all)N$ 20067N$ 150N$ 10075Income BIGIncome(wage, selfemployment,farming)N$ 50118134152N$Nov 07 Jul 08 Nov 08Graph 2.12-2The stimuluscreatedby the BIGresulted in asustainedpersonal incomeincreasebeyondthemoney spentfrom theoutside. Themean income– excludingincomefromthe BIG – increasedonaverage by29% in justone year.Graph 2.12-2 shows that the BIG had a major and directimpact on income growth and that personal incomesrose substantially more than the actual grantpaid out. This is despite the impact of in-migration intothe area. The BIG has hence had positive direct as wellas indirect effects on income generation. By providingthe BIG as a small source of secure income, peoplewere able to increase their productive income earned.Again, this refutes the notion that people would withdrawfrom productive work. This is an important findingespecially in times when countries struggle to positivelystimulate their local economic development. The stimuluscreated by the BIG resulted in a sustained personalincome increase beyond the money given from the outside.The mean income – excluding income from theBIG – increased on average by 29% in just one year.72