Social Protection Online Learning Series

This introductory module will lay the foundation for the overall structure of the course. We will discuss the major concepts of social protection in the development context, the target groups as well as how it is linked to overall development goals and principles (human rights, social contract, social cohesion, SDGs/LNOB). What are typical functions and what are typical risks that are being covered? What is shock-responsive social protection? How can we differentiate between humanitarian aid and social protection, and where are the linking points? How can social protection contribute to social inclusion? What are typical target groups? What are the basic functions of social protection and typical impacts (productive, protective, preventative and promotive)? How does social protection fit into SDC's overall development framework and related concepts such as LNOB, social inclusion, protection and decent work?

Presentation slides of Module 1

In the context of agriculture social protection relates mainly to two dimensions: 1) protection against life-cycle risks (health, old-age, maternity or chronic poverty) and 2) protection of livelihoods due to loss of income, typcially through climate-risks. Beyond the protective aspect, social protection has also an important promotive dimension. As a demand-based instrument, social protection has a potential role in enhancing agricultural production, employment and increasing local demand. Through complementary resource management measures, e.g. measures against soil erosion, social protection contributes to sustainable livelihoods in the rural conte​​xt. Also, social protection has an important role with regards to food and nutrition security. While social protection can support households in accessing not only a higher quantity of food, but also more nutritious diets, health care, and education, so-called nutrition-sensitive social protection measures can further improve the impact on food and nutrition security. 

This module aims at providing an overview of typical social protection interventions in the sector aiming at protecting life-cycle risks while at the same time promoting sustainable livelihoods. What are different target groups in the rural context (incl. the chronically, landless poor, transitory poor with productive inputs or the better-off) and how may tailor-made solutions look like for those groups? How can social protection support the twin-track approach to food and nutrition security by providing short-term support through the provision of in-kind or in-cash support and at the same time, enable farmers to increase and strengthen their livelihoods, also by linking it to other sectors, inlcuding employment along the value chain?

Presentation slides of Module 3

Poverty and poor health are inextricably linked. Poverty increases the chances of poor health. Poor health, in turn, traps communities in poverty. In this module we will discuss the role of social protection in the context of health with regards to three dimensions: 1) Social health protection is a means to improve access to health, e.g. through contributory health insurance or other financing mechanisms, such as health funds, vouchers or exemption policies for the poor and most vulnerable groups. 2) Social protection is a social determinant of health. Due to their generally lower educational levels, as well as working and living conditions, poor people are exposed to higher health risks. They tend to live in overcrowded neighbourhoods and usually cannot afford a healthy diet. Poverty is an important factor of social exclusion with negative impacts on mental health and well-being. Supporting poor people in improving their living conditions, social protection has also a positive impact on health outcomes.3) Linking health and social protection measures has a positive impact on health and poverty outcomes: What do we know about the coordination and mutual influence and impacts of social health protection measures linked to social cash transfers (e.g., LEAP-Ghana, CT-OVC Kenya)?
SDC has a wealth of experience in social health protection. Where could the SDC internally establish or strengthen cross-sectorial links with other thematic areas or clusters?

Presentation slides of Mod​ule 5

The governance dimension of social protection is closely related to 'systems building and strengthening in social protection'. This includes amongst others the development of legal frameworks and national strategies for social protection, public finance management and fiscal space, coordination across different ministries, programmes and instruments (e.g. in the context of graduation strategies), management information systems and capacity development in social protection. It also relates to aspects of decentralised management and service provision of social protection goods and services.
In this module we will discuss potential entry-points, good practices and lessons learnt for SDC in strengthening governance of integrated social protection systems. We will also discuss how the SDC may further strengthen the coordination and integration of social protection systems towards coherent and comprehensive social protection systems, with a particular focus on LNOB. The module will also discuss the politics of social protection or 'political will' as an important context factor that shapes reforms in social protection.

Presentation slides of Module 7

I​​mproved social protection indicator design can lead to substantial improvements in monitoring, targeting and service delivery for the poor and the most marginalized people.

It is widely recognized that social protection has broadly reported impacts especially on LNOB. SDC is supporting a wide range of activities in the context of social protection, but the results of social protection are rarely monitored or reported. Outputs and outcomes largely go unnoticed, because these remain hidden under various themes and sectors. Where SDC is reporting on social protection indicators these are mostly input and output but rarely process indicators, a characteristic that SDC shares with many other donors and development partners. Where SDC works with other donors, it tends to report on progress in social protection using other donors' tools and indicators, which could be enhanced and done in a more systematic way.

SDC has refocused its results monitoring, but further progress is possible concerning social protection indicators. In this module we will look at good practice indicators within the SDC and other donors. What are characteristics of good social protection indicators? How can SDC staff select and further develop social protection indicators? Which practical steps guide good social protection indicator selection and ensure LNOB-sensitivity?

Presentation slides of Module ​9