SaveAct’s model has enabled 115,000 savings group members to save and circulate R644m ($36m) in 2025.

SaveAct has a proven track record of enabling women and youth to build financial resilience and livelihoods through savings groups. As South Africa faces deepening poverty, inequality, and climate vulnerability, the need for scalable, sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. SaveAct has a clear pathway from direct implementation to a partner-led model capable of reaching two million women and youth.

At the heart of the strategy is a partnership model that enables civil society organisations to adopt and deliver our methodology with fidelity and quality, while adapting it to their own contexts. The model balances core non-negotiables with flexible components, provides different levels of support depending on partner type, and is underpinned by a structured financial model that ensures sustainability. Alongside this, SaveAct is investing in the systems, processes, and organisational structures needed to enable partners to succeed and to safeguard the integrity of impact as the work expands.

The following pages provide an overview of this journey: from the societal problem we exist to solve, to the audacious goal that drives us; from the design of the partnership model to the organisational strategies required to sustain it. Together, they outline how SaveAct is transitioning from a direct implementer to a catalyser of systemic change, working through partners to unlock opportunities for millions of women and youth to build resilience, assets, and agency in shaping their own futures.

To provide effective training and replication systems for partners within a learning-centred ecosystem

SaveAct’s model provides women with financial the tools to manage their money and advance their livelihood objective. They are not reliant on lenders as through savings they are able to accumulate the capital to offer larger lump sums to members. This enables them to achieve their goals. Members access microloans from within their groups and reap the benefits from fees attached to this service. They are rewarded once a year through a capital distribution proportional to their savings commitment over the period. Those that save the most derive the highest reward in the form of a large non-repayable distribution that enables them to make life-changing steps. 

Building on 20 years of experience we are applying and refining the methodology. SaveAct and its partners stand together in ensuring that financial education and livelihood pathway facilitation is embedded in the model. Enabling vulnerable people to accumulate capital demands that they have the tools to make wise financial decisions and work out how to best use of their money.

SaveAct has embedded these key learning modules within the savings methodology. All users of the methodology are required to introduce these with reference to their context and what members request. Attention is given to the assets and capabilities that members can harness in their journey towards saving towards being free of debt and asserting their rights in the household and their community.

Many members go on to establish or expand their economic activity, improving food security and boosting their earning power.

SaveAct provides a proven model, a high-value support package (combining training, systems and mentoring), and a national learning network.

In turn, SaveAct expects partners to be collaborative contributors, respecting the core methodology as they pursue both shared and independent goals.

SaveAct has a compelling offer to make to existing and potential partners.