ITPWebinarSeries (Ongoing)

1. Building Investment Cases

The webinar focuses on providing information and tools to participants on how to create an investment case for their change programme to approach funders and development partners. It was an interactive session that featured both a presentation as well as a working element where the teams will initiate the work on creating their country's investment case with the help of their regional mentors.

Webinar Presentation

Webinar Video Recording (Presentation Starts at 0h19m33s)

2. Successful System Design: Digital Innovation as a Response to Shocks: International Practices in Africa

Overarching Questions:
 How do digital technologies contribute to the efficiency and effectiveness of social
protection programs in low-income countries?
 What are some of the challenges that low-income countries face in implementing digital
technologies in social protection programs, and how can these challenges be addressed?
 What role can partnerships between governments, private sector organizations, and civil
society play in enhancing the effectiveness of social protection programs in low-income
countries?
 How can social protection programs be designed and implemented to ensure that they
reach the most vulnerable populations in low-income countries?
 What is the evidence and usefulness of the lessons highlighted from the Novissi program
in Togo?
 What are the barriers that impede the successful implementation of the programme in
Mozambique? Are these solely related to inadequate infrastructure?
 How can successful delivery systems be replicated in other countries—going forward?
Clear recommendations-

Webinar Outline: 

The concept of social protection being responsive to shocks, such as natural disasters, economic downturns, epidemics, and political upheavals, has gained significant traction in recent years, with numerous examples from around the globe of social protection programs being modified to enhance people's resilience and better manage or respond to disaster risks. The delivery of social protection has become an increasingly intricate challenge in the wake of such shocks, particularly in nations that are deficient in the necessary physical and social infrastructure required to provide essential services. Consequently, several nations have had to devise innovative methods to effectively reach out to vulnerable populations. These mechanisms have been put in place to ensure that vulnerable groups, such as women and girls, impoverished individuals, informal workers, senior citizens, individuals with disabilities, migrant workers, those residing in remote regions, and refugees, receive the necessary assistance. The innovative mechanisms have included digital identification systems, digital payment systems, and integrated social protection information ecosystems, among others. By utilizing these tools, some countries have been able to scale up existing or introduce new social protection programs rapidly. However, while it may ease access for some, it can also compound barriers already observed when using digital tools for the identification of beneficiaries or bring new concerns, such as issues with biometric identification or intra-household power dynamics over access to mobile phones, deficiencies in digital literacy, among others. 

The purpose of this webinar is to present a successful system design landscape, with special emphasis on the role of digital tools in the development of delivery systems for social protection. The webinar will analyse the comparison between two case studies. First, Mozambique with their National Institute of Social Action (INAS), e-INAS, PASD-PE COVID-19, and their Digital Governance and Economy Project (EDGE). This case study will focus on the challenges that they have encountered in attempting to fully implement their cash transfer programme.  The second case study will draw lessons and experiences from Togo, with their Novissi program, an unconditional cash transfer (UCT) initiated by the government to mitigate the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19. This will highlight lessons learned on the use of mobile money to support fully digital social assistance. 

Presentations of the speakers: 

Digital delivery systems & social protection in Mozambique by Julia Kusoffsky, UNICEF Mozambique - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/rv74ek2ao0q2c4lypa6oc/UNICEFMozambique_JuliaKusoffsky.pdf?rlkey=5zxnf6yq8y0roxzog5jny3rn5&dl=0

Digital Delivery Systems in Social Protection: Case of Togo by Mr Silete Devo - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/9y0208ar1kg601bxb3uoq/NovissiTogo_Mr.SileteDevo.pptx?rlkey=pw5gdpvybhfq6ytqsqnybhmla&dl=0

3. Data-Driven Approaches for Inclusive Social Protection Targeting

In the age of digital transformation and increased data accessibility, utilizing data-driven approaches has become crucial for improving the effectiveness and inclusivity of social protection programs. This webinar aims to explore how data analytics and technology can be used innovatively to achieve more accurate targeting, reduce errors, and ensure the inclusion of marginalized communities in these programs.

 The main goal of the webinar is to highlight the importance of data-driven approaches in achieving inclusive social protection. The webinar will showcase successful programs and projects that have effectively used data analytics and technology for targeted social protection. Using the case study of Kenya, the webinar will explore in depth how evidence-based methods have contributed to the implementation of inclusive social protection policies in Kenya. The webinar will highlight key ethical considerations and data privacy measures in the context of inclusive social protection targeting.

Link to the webinar (September 14, 2023) outline: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/xk34m43v69dja47j4mr5v/WebinarOutlineAA20230907aDK.docx?rlkey=1oju4ulk7dqc8ij39ai98ocit&dl=0

Link to the presentation by Mr Peter Ombasa: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/yv2g3uiwtltgp3d411f20/PeterOmbasaKenyaPresentation-14092023.pptx?rlkey=k8g0i6kkldvdbvszbuymdtusq&dl=0

Link to the presentation by Ms Urvashi Kaushik: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ja4a2eg5jfk0xqv8sdfe4/UrvashiKaushikUNICEFIndiaDataandTechforSocial-Protection_Sep14-23.pptx?rlkey=d7jn44nq2e6cm3lktgctxbxuo&dl=0

Link to the presentation by Dr Michael Samson: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vojrgzppwcytp16orw9e8/MJSGlobalWebinarPresentation20230913bDK.pptx?rlkey=er5te50q7ti1yonj33y2xwbuw&dl=0

4. Enhancing Shock-Responsive Social Protection

This webinar is a collaboration between various ITP322 alumni, including the ITP teams of Kenya, Uganda and Zambia, along with EPRI. This is organised during the Zambia Social Protection Week 2024 (June 19, 2024). The speakers in the webinar are as follows:

• Dr Michael Samson, Economic Policy Research Institute
• Dr Lynett Ochuma Odida, State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, Kenya (ITP 5 participant)
• Mr Paul Onapa, Ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development, Uganda (ITP 7 participant)
• Ms Bernadette Malungo, Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Zambia (ITP 5 participant)

Link to the presentations of speakers: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/5h7n3smjbl4l9wrpajdsg/ADwHPIL0woaT4sTiDEBhfbQ?rlkey=6ajverwf7glft1t4am24tu7ym&dl=0

Link to the recording: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/3ahhu5cx0x2akewq6q0v1/Dileep20240619SCGalV92892387923WebinarwithITPZambiateam.mp4?rlkey=3pwjuwset8kqc3ytmccsa3mdr&dl=0