Institute of Development Studies

New IDS-led research aims to mainstream good practice in social protection

2 September 2011

New IDS-led research finds that more time needs to be invested in the design phases of social protection programmes, if they are to deliver value for money.

The research shows that securing local community involvement proves to be more difficult than the rhetoric or theory suggests. Building relationships with a broad range of stakeholders is crucial if programmes are to be sustained, and getting the design of programmes right involves consultation and training, which require time and resources.

The findings are published in a new IDS Research Report, Lessons from Social Protection Programme Implementation in Kenya, Zambia and Mongolia. The research was coordinated by Irish Aid, IDS and UNICEF, and managed by Mark Davies, Programme Manager for the Centre for Social Protection based at IDS.

By looking at case-studies from Kenya (Cash Transfer for Orphans and Vulnerable Children), Zambia (Social Cash Transfer) and Mongolia (Child Money Programme), the research team identified what factors accounted for success. The research aims to mainstream this good practice in social protection, so that more poor people can benefit from programmes that are successful and sustainable.

Launching the research, Nick Perkins, Head of Research Communications at IDS and co-author of the report said: 'Social protection programming is now reaching a level of maturity in the field where we can analyse the practice for results. What we recognise immediately is the difference between the theoretical expectations and what is politically optimal.'

Why mainstreaming good practice in social protection matters

Increasingly, evidence shows that social protection can prevent poverty from passing between generations by helping the children of poor parents to escape poverty.

Irish Aid, the Centre for Social Protection at IDS and UNICEF formed a partnership that examined how good practice can interrupt this inter-generational transmission of poverty (IGT) by making social protection adequate to meet people's needs, timely by being provided both on time and at the right time, predictable so that people can plan accordingly and sustainable both financially and politically.

Key lessons for other countries

By exploring the context in which the projects took place, the researchers identified five transferable lessons, which may be relevant to other countries.

1. Don't expand prematurely – Spending sufficient time and resources to get the design phase right saves time and money in the long term. How to target, enrol and pay a large number of people are difficult questions that take time to get right.
2. Involve people as decision-makers, not only as beneficiaries – Involving communities in social protection programmes makes them more effective and legitimate because beneficiaries are more likely to view the programme as fair and non-political.
3. Build relationships – Effective relationships between those responsible for implementing social protection programmes are essential to supporting coordination and creating an environment of trust where learning can take place.
4. Influence key decision-makers – Influencing is now recognised and understood as important to setting up, expanding and sustaining social protection programmes.
5. Invest in technology to save money and build confidence – Investment in management information systems to identify people, deliver resources and monitor results can reduce errors, save money and lives and build confidence in social protection.

Find out more

• Watch a video about the research in English or in French
• Read the In Focus Policy Briefing: Designing Social Protection as an Effective and Sustainable Investment
• Download the full Research Report: Lessons from Social Protection Programme Implementation in Kenya, Zambia and Mongolia
• Find out more about IDS' Centre for Social Protection

Related News

Social Justice must be part of Social Protection

Published: 11 Aug 2011

Related Publications

• Jackson, C., Butters, S. Byambaa, E. Davies, M. and Perkins, N. (2011) 'Lessons from Social Protection: Programme Implementation in Kenya, Zambia and Mongolia', IDS Research Report 69, Brighton: IDS
• Davies, M. (2011) 'Designing Social Protection as an Effective and Sustainable Investment', IDS In-Focus Policy Briefing 17, Brighton: IDS