Ultra poor households graduate from the programme by achieving economic and social advancement measured by pre-determined programme criteria over the course of 24 months. After two years of being in the programme, participants graduate following a set of Graduation criteria which are defined in terms of basic economic and social indicators. The programme staff make an assessment of progress towards ‘graduation’ out of ultra-poverty during a certain point of time before their graduation and try to ensure that by the completion of the cycle, all participants meet a set of ‘graduation criteria’ that reflects improvements in living standards and livelihoods.