ITPWebinarSeries (Ongoing)

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