20211026-UNDP-Next_Practices_Innovations_in_the_COVID-19_social_protection_responses_and_beyond_140页_7mb

Summary of Report: Next Practices—Innovations in the COVID-19 Social Protection Responses and Beyond

Executive Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated rapid and large-scale social protection (SP) responses, particularly challenging for countries with limited systems, fiscal space, and coordination. The crisis accelerated inclusivity by targeting traditionally excluded groups like informal workers. Key innovations included:

• Beneficiary Identification: Leveraging existing registries, voter databases, and community-based targeting.
• Payment Mechanisms: Increased use of bank transfers, mobile money, and community agents, highlighting the digital divide.
• Funding: Extrabudgetary funds, private donations, and strengthened domestic revenue mobilization through taxes and fees.
• Coordination: Enhanced collaboration between governments, private sector, NGOs, and local actors.

These responses required financial innovation, rapid deployment, and a focus on inclusivity, funded primarily through public sources, but enhanced international cooperation. Moving forward, sustaining SP systems requires stronger fiscal space, better coordination, and addressing digital divides to ensure coverage for vulnerable populations.

Main Findings

Overview of COVID-19 Social Protection Responses

• Scale and Scope: 961 measures implemented across 129 countries in the Global South, with 54% being social assistance measures.
• Targeting Shift: A marked shift from only the poorest to including informal workers, refugees, and migrants.
• Funding Sources:
  • 69% from public sources (state budget, contingency funds, extrabudgetary funds).
  • 18% from international sources (World Bank, IMF, regional banks).
• Cross-Cutting Themes:
  • Use of existing social registries and databases.
  • Role of local actors (civil society, community groups) in identification and delivery.
  • Emergency committees and coordination mechanisms.

Requirements for Successful Implementation

• Fiscal Space/Sustainability: Deployment of budget reallocations, contingency funds, and extrabudgetary funds were crucial. Tax reforms and innovative financing mechanisms like social impact bonds showed potential.
• Coordination and Partnerships: New coordination committees (e.g., Disaster Risk Management Units) were critical for multi-sectoral collaboration. Effective use of public–private partnerships, including NGOs and local actors.

Key Innovations

• Beneficiary Identification and Registration: Use of social registries, waiting lists, and open registration. Digital tools like Jordan’s RapidPro system improved efficiency but required safeguards for data protection.
• Payment Mechanisms: Increased use of mobile money (18% of payment methods) and bank transfers (52%), complemented by physical delivery mechanisms (e.g., community agents).
• Communication, Grievance Mechanisms, and Case Management: Websites, helplines, and digital grievance redressal mechanisms (e.g., Jordan’s National Response Committee) ensured feedback and accountability.

Conclusions and Recommendations

1. Financing:
   • Use extrabudgetary funds sparingly due to accountability risks.
   • Explore tax reforms, including sin taxes and digital levies, to build fiscal space.
   • Promote private sector, Zakat funds, and community financing mechanisms.
2. Coordination and Partnerships:
   • Strengthen coordination through emergency committees and disaster risk management units.
   • Ensure inclusivity in policy design and implementation processes.
3. Beneficiary Identification and Registration:
   • Invest in digital registries, interoperability, and complementary manual systems to reach excluded groups.
   • Adopt alternatives to ID-based registration, such as using voter or employment databases.
4. Payment Delivery:
   • Enhance digital payment capabilities while complementing with cash transfers and local agent networks.
   • Improve CICO agent commissions and ensure their role as essential services.
5. Communication and Grievance Mechanisms:
   • Employ multichannel communication to ensure inclusivity and clarity.
   • Strengthen case management systems, especially for vulnerable groups, integrating remote and in-person support.

References

• Report: "Next Practices" by Maya Hammad, Fabianna Bacil, Fábio Veras Soares, UNDP and IPC-IG (2021).
• Sources: UNDP, World Bank, IMF, IPC-IG mapping, and other related studies.

For more details, refer to the full report or the cited sources.