In 1997, Mexico launched a revolutionary program to combat poverty. Initially named Progresa and now known as Oportunidades, it has become an important example of a sustainable and scalable poverty reduction strategy in the developing world. In Progress against Poverty, Santiago Levy—the main architect of Progresa-Oportunidades—offers his unique perspective on the development of the program, the reasons for its success, the challenges it faces, and its applicability in other nations. Its approach is innovative: the program dispenses money directly to poor households—a change from the traditional method of providing subsidized necessities through intermediaries. However, the cash transfers are contingent on the recipients’ investments in their own health, nutrition, and education.