Introduction Self-help groups (SHGs) are widely used to promote health and economic well-being in low- and middle-income countries. These groups are typically supported by external organisations for a limited period, but their long-term sustainability after funding ends is uncertain. This scoping review aims to summarise evidence on the sustainability of SHGs once external support has been withdrawn. Methods We systematically searched PUBMED, Web of Science, EconLit and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed studies published up to May 2025, following the adapted scoping review framework of Levac et al. (2010). We included articles addressing SHGs and sustainability, including those that discussed sustainability conceptually and those that reported observations before and after funding withdrawal. Results Of 6,395 articles identified, 712 underwent full-text screening and eight met inclusion criteria. Only two provided empirical evidence of sustainability beyond the period of external support; the remaining six discussed sustainability conceptually without empirical follow-up. In the first empirical study, 190 of 239 SHGs (79%) remained active in some form 12–17 months after external support ended. The second study followed 11 SHGs over five years and found that despite COVID-19 disruptions, four remained active, two were semi-active and three were dormant. Active groups continued providing psychosocial and economic support to caregivers. Both studies highlighted factors associated with sustainability, including mutual support, group savings and shared livelihood activities. Across the six non-empirical studies, qualitative observations identified additional facilitators: a supportive social environment, trust-building, acquisition of new knowledge, presence of a unifying activity such as a savings fund and the cumulative time members spent engaged in SHGs. Conclusion Such little evidence as exists and shows that SHG activities can be sustained beyond the funding period. However, this conclusion is based on only two studies and further evaluations of sustainability, and factors associated with sustainability, should be conducted.
Choudhury et al. (Tue,) studied this question.