But before we could even think about making our first cash transfers, we had to make sure the foundations were solid:

• Was there a functioning local market where people could actually spend the money? 

• Were mobile money providers operating in the area – and more importantly, would shopkeepers accept it? 

• Would there be any international restrictions that might block funds?

• And of course, could we establish a network of local NGOs engaged in poverty alleviation whose missions we could strengthen through cash transfers?

These questions may sound simple, but they’re essential - without reliable answers, a UBI pilot simply won’t work. 

So when we arrived, we got straight to work: buying SIM cards, testing different ways to send money from Switzerland to Liberia, and trying out transfers within the country. Liberia came with its own challenges – like the presence of two competing mobile money providers – but by learning from people and NGOs who had already gained experience on the ground, we were able to navigate these challenges and complete a first successful test of sending Swiss money to Liberia.

Impressions from mobile money booths in Monrovia.

The same applied to our own capacity as an organization. Running a UBI pilot isn’t just about raising money - it’s about delivering consistently. That meant finding trusted local partners, drawing on our past experience with cash programs, and making sure we had enough resources to cover every promised payment. One key decision was about project duration: It needed to be long enough to create meaningful impact, without risking trust by ending early.

That’s why, in our conversations with local NGOs, we didn’t just focus on their reliability and understanding of the project. We also asked about their views on transfer amounts and timelines, and we cross-checked those  insights  against our own research on poverty and the broader economic situation. These discussions helped us design a pilot that’s rooted in the Liberian context and stays true to Social Income’s commitment to local ownership and relevance.

Meetings with potential partners are one of the big cornerstones of setting up a pilot.

If you’ve made it this far, here’s one last thought: setting up a cash transfer project is more achievable than it might seem. Imagine returning from a trip not only with photos and stories, but with the experience of launching a universal cash transfer program. If that sparks something in you, reach out to us at Social Income - we would love to hear your ideas and help you take the first step.