Actions in Social Assistance

  • Online training for ERI experts in the field of targeted social assistance

    CENTRAL ASIA Kazakhstan
    Start activities
    16/08/2023
    End activities
    08/11/2023
    Partner Institution
    JSC Economic Research Institute
    Type of Assistance
    Institutional capacity building, Individual capacity building (human resources development)
    Code
    2023-19
    Description
    The webinar “Social Assistance Measures: Experience of the European Union” was co-organized by SOCIEUX+ and the Economic Research Institute (ERI) of Kazakhstan on the occasion of the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty. ERI, a think tank under the Ministry of Economy, had a mission to propose to the government social assistance measures based in international good practices to support the implementation of the new Kazakhstan Social code. The experts from France and Slovakia presented the ways that minimum income guarantee schemes and child guarantee initiatives are designed and implemented in different EU Member States. Around 40 participants – ERI experts as well as other partners from Kazakhstan and Central Asia – joined the webinar.

  • Definition of a national social assistance policy

    WESTERN AFRICA Côte d'Ivoire
    Start activities
    15/03/2019
    End activities
    10/01/2020
    Partner Institution
    Ministry of Employment and Social Protection [Ministère de l'Emploi et de la Protection Sociale] (MEPS)
    Type of Assistance
    Policy development
    Code
    2019-09
    Description
    This Action provided the partner with a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the situation and the formal framework of social action in Côte d'Ivoire, particularly with regard to the situation of the elderly. Furthermore, experts from France have developed draft national policy documents including concrete recommendations of policy measures – some immediately exploitable, other requiring more preparation and concertation – the partner has agreed with, which may support decision-making and policy dialogue, both at the intergovernmental level and with regards of other stakeholders (particular attention is paid to the territorial level and the role of voluntary and non-profit organizations).

  • Consolidation of the strategy

    SOUTH AMERICA Colombia
    Start activities
    01/02/2019
    End activities
    30/07/2020
    Partner Institution
    Institute for Social Economy [Instituto para la Economia Social] (IPES)
    Type of Assistance
    Policy development
    Code
    2019-02
    Description
    The second cooperation between IPES and SOCIEUX+ aimed to guide the implementation of the psychosocial care component of the strategy “Modelo de Atencion Integral” intended to provide ad-hoc support to vulnerable informal street vendors in the streets of Bogota. The ultimate aim of the strategy and the “Modelo” is to provide some sort of social security coverage and support to a category that has traditionally be excluded from formal social security schemes. Experts from Italy and Spain have facilitated the creation of a working group made up by local entities that are in a position to, or actually provide social services to which the target population would be eligible. They then helped defining of a unified conceptual and methodological psycho-social intervention model applicable by the IPES sub-directorates and exploitable by field agents.

  • Social protection coverage in the informal economy

    SOUTH AMERICA Colombia
    Start activities
    17-12-2018
    End activities
    24-11-2018
    Partner Institution
    Institute for Social Economy [Instituto para la Economia Social]
    Type of Assistance
    Institutional (Regulatory & Policy)
    Code
    2017-26
    Description
    The main outcome of the technical assistance has been to put high in the local political and institutional agenda the issue of extending social protection coverage to the informal street vendors of Bogota, which are the main target population of the Instituto para la Economia Social (IPES)’s efforts in the area of local socio-economic development. Experts (three different teams coming from France, Italy, and Spain) first of all succeeded to clarify the terms of the debate through a stakeholders’ mapping and a feasibility study in view of the current situation and status of informal street vendors. Thanks to IPES’ proactive role, the missions of experts have become a tool for mobilizing a number of local actors, starting from the Municipality of Bogota and State agencies, all the way to local NGOs, around the idea of ensuring some sort of social support against life’s risks faced by informal street vendors.

  • Capacity building for East and Central African social security agencies

    SOUTHERN AFRICA Tanzania, United Republic of
    Start activities
    sep-17
    End activities
    nov-17
    Partner Institution
    East and Central Africa Social Security Association
    Type of Assistance
    Training
    Code
    2017-05
    Description
    The action aimed to strengthen the capacity of the East and Central Africa Social Security Association (ECASSA) to design and conduct training in favor of its member organizations The three activities’ deliverables are similar and consist in the materials presented by SOCIEUX-mobilized experts/trainers throughout the three sessions and pertaining to social protection coverage, leadership and ethics, and occupational safety and health. The participating experts came from Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands

  • Support to the Institute of Labour Science and Social Affairs in shaping Social Protection in Vietnam

    SOUTH-EAST ASIA Vietnam, Socialist Republic of
    Start activities
    feb-17
    End activities
    feb-17
    Partner Institution
    Institute for Labour Science and Social Affairs [Viện Khoa Học Lao Động Và Xã Hội]
    Type of Assistance
    Assessment
    Code
    2016-13
    Description
    Improve social protection systems design, monitoring and evaluation, and implementation in Vietnam.

  • Support for evaluating the National Strategy for the prevention of bullying and other types of violence

    NORTH AMERICA Mexico
    Start activities
    nov-16
    End activities
    dec-17
    Partner Institution
    National System for Integral Family Development [Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo Integral de la Familia]
    Type of Assistance
    Institutional Strengthening
    Code
    2016-05
    Description
    The Sistema Nacional para el Desarrollo de la Familia (SNDIF) requested SOCIEUX+ support to evaluate the National Strategy for the Prevention of Bullying and Other Types of Violence as well as to enhance the capabilities of municipal community agents in their efforts to foster community involvement in order to modify cultural behaviors as to lower the levels of violence. The “Guides” developed by experts from Argentina and Spain, based on the assessment of the National Strategy, are online courses intended to prepare community promoters to the role that the Strategy assigns to them, in connection with the community and families.

  • Management of funding proposals for income-generating activity grants

    Western Africa Gabon
    Start activities
    apr-16
    End activities
    apr-17
    Partner Institution
    National Fund for Social Assistance [Fonds Nationale d'Aide Sociale (FNAS)]
    Type of Assistance
    Institutional Strengthening
    Code
    2015-21
    Description
    French experts accompanied by regional experts from Cameroon and Madagascar assessed the Income-generating Activities (AGRs) programme of the Fonds Nationale d'Aide Sociale (FNAS) of Gabon, as well as the capacity building needs of its staff. Strategic and technical support was provided to the elaboration of the FNAS’ plan of action for 2021, followed by a strategic orientation to the definition of corporate long-term objectives. The third activity focused on the formulation of a Logical Framework mirroring the three axes of the strategic orientation, namely: Governance, strategic approach and framework of actions; Financial capacity and autonomy; Development of operational modalities and FNAS procedures for AGRs. A final training clarified ways for FNAS staff to play a role in implementing the objectives and expected results of the new Logical Framework.

  • Capacity building of the Social Prosperity Department

    South America Colombia
    Start activities
    apr-2015
    End activities
    oct-2016
    Partner Institution
    Social Prosperity agency [Prosperidad Social - formerly Agencia Nacional para la Superación de la Pobreza Extrema]
    Type of Assistance
    Training
    Code
    2014-19
    Description
    The Administrative Department for Social Prosperity [Prosperidad Social] integrated towards end of 2015, the National Agency for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (ANSPE) which coordinates the implementation of the National Strategy for Overcoming Extreme Poverty (UNIDOS) created in 2008. UNIDOS currently brings together a large number of entities involved in the provision of basic social services for the extremely poor. The Strategy is complemented by the departmental and municipal governments, including over 1000 municipalities, more than 50 strategic partners from the private sector, and stakeholders in social innovation and from international cooperation. Social Prosperity has engaged a process of re-designing the UNIDOS to strengthen its conceptual and operational aspects such as the design of the surveys, aspects of monitoring, the assistance given to families as well as the information system. The aim was to make Social Prosperity more efficient through better technical and technological tools and instruments, and human and physical capital. SOCIEUX+ mobilised experts conducted with the peers an assessment of the technical capacities of ANSPE to identify gaps and training needs. The scope of the technical assistance extended to red-design of beneficiaries identification mechanisms, information management systems and instruments for monitoring and evaluation. The latter having focused on analysis and further development of business and of information-data under the General Sub-Directorate for Overcoming Poverty, which is part of Social Solidarity. SOCIEUX+ supported also individual capacity building workshops which resulted in the development of a step-by-step guide to impact evaluation planning for the three key programmes led by Social Prosperity’s programmes (UNIDOS, Jóvenes en Acción, and Red de Seguridad Alimentaria). Additionally, technical advice was provided on determining pertinent criteria for the exit and entry of beneficiary families to the “More Families in Action” cash transfer programme.

  • Capacity Building (Training) of Social Assistance Staff of implementation of the RISE Families Programme

    Caribbean Saint Kitts and Nevis
    Start activities
    nov-2015
    End activities
    dic-2016
    Partner Institution
    Ministry of Social Development - Department of Social Services, Nevis Island Administration (NIA)
    Type of Assistance
    Individual capacity building (human resources development)
    Code
    2015-16
    Description
    Following an initial capacity assessment of the Department of Social Services of the Ministry of Social Development of Nevis, a proposal describing the training needs, the target group, the duration, the proposed training activities, was prepared by experts from Croatia and the United Kingdom. The following training involved case workers of the Restore, Inspire, Secure and Empower social-support Program (RISE) and included: engagement with people in need of assistance; people’s risk assessment; attitudes and professionalism of social workers; confidentiality; managing people’s anger; managing information and data; engagement with other public agencies; understanding family dynamics; assessing cases of child sexual abuse. Finally, experts summed up all materials, methods and information delivered throughout the training and compiled a practical manual that is now available to train the newly hired RISE Program case managers.

  • Support to the implementation of allowances to disabled people

    South-East Asia Cambodia
    Start activities
    oct-2016
    End activities
    oct-2016
    Partner Institution
    Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSAVY)
    Type of Assistance
    Organisational management (structures & functions)
    Code
    2016-11
    Description
    Experts from France and the United Kingdom worked together with staff of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Veterans and Youth Rehabilitation (MoSAVY) in view to elaborate an Orientation Report providing recommendations for implementing the relevant country’s regulations governing the Community-based Pension Support Scheme in favor of poor persons with disabilities and their households. The report provides analysis and recommendations with regards to three main areas: Policy, implementation and institutional development; Legislation; Disability assessment mechanisms.

  • Support capacity building and institutional frameworks for the implementation of social protection

    CARIBBEAN Jamaica
    Start activities
    jul-2014
    End activities
    nov-2014
    Partner Institution
    Planning Institute of Jamaica
    Type of Assistance
    Legislative & regulatory framework development
    Code
    2014-03
    Description
    The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIoJ) is the foremost economic and social planning agency of the Jamaican Government. The PIoJ had a leading role in the elaboration of the Social Protection Strategy of the country, in 2014. Further, the PIoJ is in charge of coordinating the implementation of the Strategy’s actions and monitoring and evaluation corresponding operations. The success of which depends to a large extent on a careful and effective financial management to withstand economic shocks, which have been frequent in the Caribbean region. Experts mobilised transferred their experience and knowledge to their peers of the PIoJ in the areas of financing, monitoring and evaluation social protection. In addition, experts were to support the costing the existing Social Protection Floor [the minimum package of social assistance and protection services already in place] and the development of a monitoring and evaluation framework for social protection.

  • Supporting the implementation of the Social Protection Strategy on social safety nets

    Eastern Africa Djibouti
    Start activities
    dec-2014
    End activities
    dec-2014
    Partner Institution
    State Secretariat for National Solidarity [Secrétariat d’Etat auprès du Premier Ministre chargé à la Solidarité Nationale]
    Type of Assistance
    Organisational capacity building
    Code
    2014-05
    Description
    State Secretariat for National Solidarity (SESN) is a public entity directly attached to the Prime Minister of Djibouti. It coordinates the implementation as well as monitoring and evaluation processes of the national strategy for socioeconomic development "Vision Djibouti 2035". In 2013, Djibouti adopted a safety net-based National Social Protection Strategy [Stratégie Nationale « Filets Sociaux de Sécurité » 2013-17]. The Strategy, developed by SESN, serves as a road map for the design and implementation of social safety nets, the widespread promotion of employment and equity, and the strengthening of synergies between all stakeholders. For overseeing the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Strategy, the Inter-sector Committee for Social Protection. The Committee was to rely on a permanent technical secretariat, the STP-CI/PS, within the SESN. Mobilised experts contributed in the building of institutional capacities of the SESN and individual technical capacities of its key staff for the setting up of the STP-CI/PS. This was primarily by working with their peers on assessing existing capacities of the SESN, formulating their needs and appropriate responses for the setup of the STP-CI/PS.

  • Support for the formulation of a disability policy for the region of Cundinamarca, Colombia

    South America Colombia
    Start activities
    nov-2014
    End activities
    nov-2015
    Partner Institution
    Provincial Government of Cundinamarca - Health Secretariat [Secretaría de Salud, Departamento de Cundinamarca]
    Type of Assistance
    Policy development
    Code
    2014-16
    Description
    The Secretariat of Health of the Department of the Cundinamarca region is responsible for implementation of the National Public Policy for Disability and Social Inclusion at the regional level. Colombia published a National Public Policy on Disability and Social Inclusion in 2013. The Department’s Government intention was to develop a regional policy on the lines of the national policy. The Department’s Secretariat of Health had already put forward a number of activities as starting points for this development, including the identification of difficulties affecting people living with disabilities among the 116 municipal areas, and) consultations involving all sectors of society. Within five activities implemented in less than one year, the Public Policy for Social Inclusion of People with Disabilities if Cundinamarca was developed, adopted and publicly presented as the result of a process led by the regional Government with the support of mobilised experts. It is organised around five axes which enable the inclusion, equality and legal guarantees of people living with disabilities to be reinforced, providing opportunities for participation, accessibility and capacity development through the recognition of diversity.

  • Strengthening the policy dialogue, policy implementatiaon and capacity of the NAF

    Middle East and Gulf Countries Jordan
    Start activities
    jun-2015
    End activities
    jan-2016
    Partner Institution
    National Aid Fund
    Type of Assistance
    Organisational management (structures & functions)
    Code
    2015-01
    Description
    The Jordan National Aid Fund (NAF) provides social assistance to the most deprived and vulnerable through cash transfers since its establishment in 1986. The Fund is oversight by the Ministry of Social Development but is an independent body with network of 41 local offices. The NAF identified an urgent need for policy dialogue leading to the development of both a strategy and its implementation plan for 2014-2016, and for associated need capacity building of its top-level management. SOCIEUX mobilised experts support the efforts of their peers in strengthening the NAF’s technical, administrative and benefit-delivery capacities.  An initial thorough analysis of internal processes and activities of the NAF provided the necessary vision to plan further capacity development for its human resources and organisation, as well as specifically on targeting mechanisms. Experts also addressed the development of consistent indicators at organisational- and operational-level. Know-how for the integration of indicators in a future information management was also transferred. Finally, experts and their peers worked on preparatory activities for elaboration of a Public Relations and Communications Strategy for the NAF.

  • Support to the development of the legal, institutional and structural framework for social assistance

    Western Africa Côte d'Ivoire
    Start activities
    nov-2015
    End activities
    dec-2016
    Partner Institution
    Ministry of State, Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs & Vocational Education
    Type of Assistance
    Legislative & regulatory framework development
    Code
    2015-06
    Description
    The action was grounded on the National Strategy for Social Protection and focused on territorial social assistance as a fundamental tool to outreach vulnerable (and often peripheral) populations. The Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs & Vocational Education of Ivory Coast supported engaged with different teams of experts from France. The main action’s result has been the definition of a vision and concrete guidelines for structuring and strengthening decentralized social assistance in Ivory Coast, by providing an organizational path for strengthening the local social development centers.