Experiences and Challenges of Scaling Up Social Cash Transfers in Zambia

Social Protection: Building Effective And Sustainable Systems For Equitable GrowthArusha, Tanzania December 15-17, 2014

Outline

IntroductionIntroductionDecision PointsDecision PointsOperational PlanOperational PlanChallengesResultsResultsLessons/ConclusionLessons/Conclusion

Introduction Predictable and consistent Grants Social cash transfer scheme started in Kalomo district in 2003.At present the scheme covers 50 districtsA total 145,000 benef households.

Introduction Cont

Criteria- 6 months residency-Dependency Ratio Welfare TestCommunity Volunteers list the incapacitated HHEnumerationTrained Teachers and officers conduct the interviewsData EntryAll the forms are entered into a databaseScreening-Based on a predetermined welfare Index HHValidation Names scrutinized- final list producedPayments/ Payments commence.

Beneficiary /Target Household

- 700 % INCREASE (3M - 23 M US$)-TOO BIG TO FAIL-UNDERMINE FUTURE SUPPORT

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

K3.0 K4.0 K7.8 M K11.5 M K17.5M K150 M

Decision Points Extreme poverty at 42%. Total poverty 61

%. Some HH heads are aged, too sick too

young. About 15-20 % of HH in Zambia labour constrained.

Positive Impact- nutrition and health, education, livelihoods,

Well targeted (World Bank)- Reaching the Poor

Political support and demand Successful implementation –last 10 years

Objectives of Scale Up

To increase the geographical coverage

To increase the number of beneficiaries

To implement a harmonized SCT

Target Defined

Labour costrained HH- unlikely to benefit from FISP, WEP, Youth Fund

Identified additional 31 districts LCMS 2010

Strategic Changes Donor funds rerouted to capacity building 4 multidisciplinary Teams setup and

conducted inception visits- in October 2013.

3 Additional staff recruited for two years Weekly TWG meetings Teachers/officers now Enumerators

instead of community volunteers recruited Proxy Means Test introduced/C B T MIS database centralised

Operational Plan Inception visits Comm sensitasation Revitalising Comm Training comm Identification Enumeration Data entry Payment

4 teams Dist officers Dist officers DWAC Volunteers Teachers/officers Central Stat Off Teachers

ChallengesPoor terrain Roads cut off in rainy season- use

boat. Poor Limited cell phone/internet

connectivity Slow progress in some districts –

conflicted with teaching time.

Supervisor Giving Instructions !

Do not Give Up !

Wherever you are We will Find You!

Main Results

SCT from 19 to 5O districts180 000 potential benef

interviewed50,000 hh benef to 145 000hh ++ beneficiariesMIS database operational CWACs revitalized.SCT awareness raised

Consolidate/Focuss

M- Tech enumeration data collection- Upscale Village Banking Design Linkage to Health

Lessons/Conclusion Operational flexibility/process Quick to learn and make

decisions/adapt Outsourcing serves timeScaling up is a process requiring

magnanimity and adaptation. Important to pay attention to reports