Rationing, not targeting
“Will no-one rid me of this troublesome PMT?” [i] Anyone who has worked in social protection knows that the thorniest issue of all is that of “targeting”. The recent polemics on these pages about the inadequacy of the Proxy Means Test (PMT) as a “targeting” mechanism (including my last blog post: Poxy...
The Effectiveness of Targeting: Options for Uganda
This paper attempts to clarify the concept of targeting within the context of Uganda and discuss the most effective means of ensuring that ‘the poor’ and vulnerable are included in...
Support impactful programmes, not cost-cutting, IMF told as it reviews social protection approach
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has been advised to focus on the impact of social protection programmes and not only their cost in its new framework for social protection. The...
Global review of evidence of targeted social protection poverty-reduction effectiveness to be unveiled
Headline results of a new global review of the evidence on which types of social protection programmes best reach those in poverty and support inclusive growth will be unveiled at...
Enough with the KIDDing around – let’s tackle the BIG questions!
Not too long ago, my colleague, Stephen Kidd, wrote a blog called ‘The debate in the World Bank on the Proxy Means Test hots up: or does it?’ (you can find the blog here). In it, he took issue with the way that the Bank’s Social Protection and Labour Group is...
Effective ways to reduce child poverty and targeting’s record of failure under spotlight
Development Pathways has shared the global record of ineffectiveness of poverty-targeted programmes in reaching the poorest and presented evidence that investing in universal child benefits is affordable and has a...
Is Nigeria’s Social Protection on the cusp of transformation?
Will the design of a direct cash transfer in Nigeria ensure its ongoing popularity and sustainability? Guest blogger Gbenga Shadare considers Nigeria’s social protection issues. Will community-based targeting of those in poverty provide a necessary safety net? In the course of the last presidential campaign in Nigeria, which saw the People’s Democratic Party overthrown...
Exclusion by Design: the effectiveness of the Proxy Means Test
In recent years, the proxy means test (PMT) has become the predominant targeting mechanism for social assistance schemes in developing countries. It has many powerful advocates and claims that it...
Fresh evidence on effectiveness of targeting as focus shifts to social protection programme impact
The full results of a new global review of the evidence on the types of social protection programmes best reach those living in poverty will be launched at a 14th...
Final report of global review of targeting effectiveness set to be unveiled
The culmination of an assessment of the targeting effectiveness of social protection programmes across the globe undertaken for the Church of Sweden will be launched this Thursday 14th. Ahead of...