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Transforming research and policy

The Centre forSocial Protection

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Our Vision and Approach

The Centre for Social Protection (CSP) is a global hub for research, policy analysis, and capacity building in social protection.

www.ids.ac.uk/go/csp • socialprotection@ids.ac.uk

Our visionCSP envisions a world in which every person is protected against shocks and adverse personal circumstances, and in which vulnerable people can enhance their livelihoods and well-being.

To work towards this vision, CSP infl uences debates and strengthens capacities to build social protection policies and programmes that protect vulnerable people, are sustainable and promote social justice.

Creating Knowledgeabout social protection policies and evaluating their impacts

Mobilising Networksto exchange knowledge and advocate for change

Strengthening Capacitiesto shape and implement policy

What we work on • Creating knowledge about social protection policies and evaluating the impacts of social protection programmes.

• Mobilising networks of researchers, policymakers and practitioners to exchange knowledge and advocate for change.

• Strengthening capacities to shape and implement social protection policies.

Established in 2006, CSP is a global network of researchers, policy-makers and practitioners, with a secretariat at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS), UK. CSP draws on IDS’s position as a global leader in development research, and works with its networks to further our vision of social protection for all.

Why social protection?Evidence shows that social protection is crucial for inclusive development. Low-income countries that have pursued economic growth without building mechanisms for social protection have failed to create opportunities for poor and vulnerable people.

Social protection helps people survive and build resilience to shocks, such as droughts or illness. It can allow people to avoid damaging strategies, such as selling their productive assets. It enables people to take productive risks and invest in their livelihoods. For these reasons, extending social protection to all is an urgent priority. However, social protection has been constrained by poverty, weak institutions and the absence of ‘social contracts’ between governments and citizens.

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What is social protection?Social protection includes all initiatives, both formal and informal, that provide:

• Social assistance to extremely poor individuals and households

• Social services to groups who need special care or who would otherwise be denied access to basic services

• Social insurance to protect people against the risks and consequences of livelihood shocks

• Social equity to protect people against social risks such as discrimination or abuse

Source: Devereux and Sabates-Wheeler (2004)

At the water pump in a slum of Ahmedabad, India

Our Vision and Approach

This report provides a concise picture of CSP’s unique approach, key areas of work and accomplishments thus far. It aims to inform current and potential partners and stakeholders about who we are and how we work.

Creating Knowledge

The Centre for Social Protection produces high quality research, creates new analytical frameworks and performs evaluations in order to shape social protection policy and practice around the world.

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Researchers talk with participants in the Productive Safety Net Programme, Ethiopia

A diversity of research and knowledgeWorking with a network of partners, CSP co-produces policy-relevant knowledge in three primary areas:

• Conceptual approaches to social protection

• Design of social protection programmes, targeting and delivery mechanisms

• Impacts of social protection programmes

CSP’s research reaches diverse audiences. In addition to publishing widely in academic and policy journals, CSP produces its own series of open-access publications, including working papers and policy briefs. Members of CSP present research at international conferences, and convene meetings on emerging topics. CSP draws on its extensive network to focus and disseminate research outputs.

Selected Publications

• Devereux, S. and Sabates-Wheeler, R. (2004) Transformative Social Protection, IDS Working Paper 232, Brighton: IDS

• Institute of Development Studies (2011) IDS Bulletin 42.6, ‘Social Protection for Social Justice’, Brighton: IDS

• Institute of Development Studies (2007) IDS Bulletin 38.3, ‘Debating Social Protection’, Brighton: IDS

• Kabeer, N.; Cook, S.; Chopra, D. and Ainsworth, P. (2010) Social Protection in Asia: Research Findings and Policy Lessons, Brighton: IDS

A complete list of publications is available on the CSP website.

New conceptual approaches CSP develops research-based conceptual approaches that shape how international agencies and national governments undertake social protection. CSP’s Transformative Social Protection framework has been especially infl uential, because it goes beyond previous frameworks that concentrated on risk management and asset building. The CSP framework introduces an emphasis on social justice and equity and focuses on the root causes of poverty and vulnerability.

ARUP BANERJIDIRECTOR, SOCIAL PROTECTION AND LABOR UNIT, WORLD BANK

“CSP’s studies and perspectives on the importance of social protection in managing risk and in promoting opportunities have been very valuable in informing the policy dialogue ... and have been a key reference for the development of the World Bank’s 2012-2022 Social Protection and Labor Strategy.”

GABRIELE KÖHLER AND MARIANA STIRBUUNICEF REGIONAL OFFICE FOR SOUTH ASIA

“We were impressed with CSP’s Transformative Social Protection framework. The framework prioritises strengthening families’ resilience and enabling them to move out of dependency... and it is backed up by a body of research. All this makes the framework useful when working with Governments. For example, when the Government of Nepal introduced a child protection grant in 2009, the programme was designed as a universal benefi t, building on Transformative Social Protection.”

Creating Knowledge

Promoting best practicesCSP has partnered with UNICEF and Irish Aid to research how to build successful social protection programmes. All too often, new initiatives fail to learn from previous experiences. In response to this challenge, CSP led research in Kenya and Zambia to identify how to transform ‘good’ practice into common practice.

Together with partners, CSP research showed how fi eld practitioners’ knowledge could be identifi ed and documented for improved policy.A variety of communications formats, including a policy briefi ng and multi-media videos, were used to disseminate these results and practices throughout partner organisations and social protection stakeholders.

‘Sensitive’ social protectionSince 2006, CSP has conducted research on how to tailor social protection to the needs of highly vulnerable groups, including children, women and people living with HIV and AIDS. This research helps to coordinate social protection with other policies, including health programmes and child protection services, to maximise their effectiveness in reducing people’s vulnerability.

CSP contributed to UNICEF and UNAIDS joint concept notes on child-sensitive social protection and HIV and social protection, including the 2009 Joint Statement on Child Sensitive Social Protection. These documents are important in shaping agencies’ policies and framing their advice to country governments.

Evaluating Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Programme

CSP has been involved in the PSNP since its inception in 2004, advising development partners and the government of Ethiopia on design, and conducting evaluations of programme implementation and impacts.

• In 2006 and 2008 CSP led mixed methods evaluations that were infl uential in revising and improving the design and delivery of the programme.

• In 2009 CSP and A-Z Consult conducted a study on ‘Options for Direct Support in Ethiopia’ that addressed the need to look beyond the PSNP towards a sustainable social protection system for Ethiopia.

• In 2010, CSP, IFPRI and Dadimos Consultants evaluated the Food Security Programme, which includes the PSNP. The research revealed that households were receiving smaller transfers than intended and concluded that adequate capacity building, equipment and staff were critical to ensuring that PSNP provides protection to vulnerable households.

Programme evaluationsCSP undertakes evidence-based evaluations which improve the design and implementation of social protection programmes. CSP specialises in mixed methods evaluations, using quantitative with qualitative instruments.

Together with a range of partners, CSP has conducted high-profi le impact evaluations of several programmes, including:

• Productive Safety Net Programme (PSNP) in Ethiopia

• Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP) in northern Kenya

• Child Support grant (CSg) in South Africa

• Social transfer schemes in Lesotho, Malawi, Swaziland and Zambia

Mobilising Networks

CSP draws on its network to convene and infl uence debates about social protection and to facilitate learning across the fi eld. The CSP network organises conferences and exchange visits, provides platforms for knowledge sharing and disseminates research.

A diverse group of partnersThe CSP network connects more than 1000 members located in research organisations, government ministries, parliaments, international agencies, NgOs and civil society groups. The network includes communities of practice not onlyin the area of social protection, but also climate change, disaster risk reduction, agriculture and health.

Collaborating on new agendasCSP convenes international conferences to debate key ideas and build new agendas for research and policy. The 2011 Social Protection for Social Justice Conference brought together over 100 participants from research institutes and universities, national governments and international agencies and NgOs to identify policy agendas for promoting equity in social protection.

As host of the conference, CSP used communications tools and social media to disseminate results and create an inclusive debate. Following the event, CSP published a special issue of the IDS Bulletin, and an op-ed article in the Guardian newspaper’s ‘Poverty Matters’ blog.

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Vietnamese Government offi cials address the SPA Policy Conference 2009, Hanoi, Vietnam

CSP Newsletter:A key platform for knowledge exchange

CSP produces a quarterly newsletter that is widely regarded as a key tool for exchanging knowledge on social protection. Highlighting news, events, and publications from across the social protection fi eld, the newsletter reaches more than 1000 practitioners. In each issue, practitioners from different organisations provide perspectives on a topical issue.

Sign up socialprotection@ids.ac.uk

Mobilising Networks

Linking communities of practiceAll too often, development policies are pursued in isolation by governments, donors and NgOs, reducing their effectiveness. CSP provides tools and spaces which help bridge communities of practice and produce more effective policies.

Through the Adaptive Social Protection programme, CSP has brought together communities of practice in the areas of social protection, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction. With funding from the UK Department for International Development (DFID), CSP has created tools and spaces that allow these three communities to share knowledge, develop integrated policies and better respond to the challenge of climate change. In 2011, CSP organised a conference in Ethiopia that brought together 120 experts from 20 countries. The event allowed practitioners to share strategies for working across organisations and areas of expertise, and resulted in the publication of a joint CSP and World Bank report.

Strengthening policy networks to expand social protectionFrom 2000-2010, CSP managed the Social Protection in Asia programme, along with the Institute for Human Development, India. The programme brought together 11 research organisations from six Asian countries. Together, they responded to the challenge that 44 per cent of the poor in the region are not covered by any form of social protection.

The programme used research, network building and communications to strengthen the capacities of local research organisations and enable them to infl uence policy in their respective countries. It created a network which today serves as a key voice on social protection issues in the region.

Social Protection in Asia’s key accomplishments included:

• Two high-level policy meetings

• Learning events for network members

• Eleven country case study reports

• A special issue of the IDS Bulletin

• Policy briefi ngs that reached national governments and multi-lateral agencies

Social protection in Africa:Where next?

In 2010 CSP, ODI, the University of East Anglia, and the Regional Hunger and Vulnerability Programme published an online discussion paper, ‘Social Protection in Africa: Where Next?’ that provoked intense discussion. Agencies including AusAID, DFID, the European Commission, ILO, Oxfam, UNAIDS, UNICEF and the World Bank contributed to this debate or incorporated its ideas into their strategies.

Strengthening Capacities

CSP works with individuals, organisations and national governments to build their capacities, overcoming key challenges to the implementation, expansion and sustainability of social protection programmes.

A unique approachCSP’s approach to capacity development is based on helping partners to assess their own capacities and tailoring activities and content to their needs and aspirations. CSP draws on its network of partners to provide a diverse set of knowledge, resources and training opportunities to support capacity building.

Leading training and organisational developmentCSP is a world leader in the provision of training on social protection. In its fi rst fi ve years, CSP led 15 training workshops and seminars in social protection in 12 different countries for government offi cials, parliamentarians and members of international agencies, NgOs and media organisations. CSP has delivered trainings and sensitisations for a diverse set of organisations, including:

• governments of Botswana, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Zambia and Zanzibar

• UK Department for International Development advisers

• European Commission

• Food and Agriculture Organisation

• Oxfam gB

• Several hundred UNICEF staff globally

CSP training courses provide participants witha detailed conceptual understanding of social protection, as well as the practical skills to engage in programme and policy design and debate. Participants also have the opportunityto interact with peers, exchange ideas andshare expertise.

UNICEF PARTICIPANT IN CSP TRAINING COURSE

“I now have a better understanding of the objectives of social protection and will use this knowledge to help broaden the policy debate in Burkina Faso.”

TRAINING PARTICIPANT FROM THE ETHIOPIAN BUREAU OF LABOUR AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS

“The knowledge I got from CSP is very important and I found it helpful. Starting from next week we are training the regional staff using the same method that we had been taught.”

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Strengthening Capacities

UNICEF staff at a CSP training discuss a course exercise

Building government capacity for social protectionCSP has a record of assisting governments to build their capacity to design and implement national social protection policies. In 2011, CSP delivered workshops in Rwanda which brought together elected officials and civil servants driving the nation’s Vision 2020 Umurenge Programme. CSP led a five-day course that allowed policy makers to analyse the design and implementation of social protection programmes. The course was followed by a one day seminar with the minister responsible for social protection.

Drawing on local knowledge through trainingIn 2011, the CSP ran an innovative training course with Ethiopian government officials that expanded participants’ knowledge base and helped them develop techniques for running their own training courses. These personnel are now building the capacities of their colleagues as part of the implementation plan of Ethiopia’s social protection policy.

Advising governments on social protection policiesCSP is advising the government of Zanzibar on how to develop the nation’s first National Social Protection Policy, including strengthening government organisations’ capacity to design and deliver the new policy. CSP is working with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Youth, Women and Children Development and the National Technical and Steering Committees.

Engaging with high-level policymakingCSP members advise and contribute to international policymaking processes at the highest levels. They serve on the High-Level Panel of Experts convened by the Committee on World Food Security. They have also provided input to the social protection strategies of international agencies, including the European Union, UNICEF and the World Bank, as well as the policies of governments including Botswana, Malawi, South Africa and Zanzibar.

Centre for Social Protection Secretariat at the Institute of Development Studies

Manager Mark Davies

Administrator Liz O’Brien

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Front cover Group of women participating in the Productive Safety Net Programme, EthiopiaMATHAN RATINAM/PARSONS THE NEW SCHOOL FOR DESIgN

Find out more

•Are you interested in research or evaluations of social protection programmes or policies?

•Do you want to stay informed about critical issues, events and research in social protection?

•Do you want to build your organisation’s capacities to analyse, carry out and learn from social protection?

•Are you interested in-depth training or short courses on social protection?

CSP newsletter

A source for information, publications and events from across the social protection sector

Sign up socialprotection@ids.ac.uk www.ids.ac.uk/go/csp

Secretariat members

Christophe Béné

Deepta Chopra

Stephen Devereux

gabriele Köhler

Richard Longhurst

This document was written by the CSP Secretariat and edited by Ewan Robinson.

The Centre for Social ProtectionInstitute of Development StudiesBrighton BN1 9REUK

© The Centre for Social Protection 2012

The Institute of Development Studies is a leading global charity for research, teaching and information about international development. Limited by guarantee and Registered in England, Charity Registration Number 306371.

J. Allister Mcgregor

Keetie Roelen

Rachel Sabates-Wheeler

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