Course Details

Sustainable Funding: Financing Social Protection in Resource-Constrained Settings Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Ensuring adequate and predictable financing for social protection is perhaps the most significant challenge facing governments in resource-constrained settings. While the need for robust social safety nets to combat poverty, inequality, and vulnerability is undeniable, limited fiscal space often hinders the expansion and sustainability of these vital programs. This critical training course provides professionals with the analytical frameworks, practical tools, and strategic insights needed to navigate the complexities of financing social protection effectively within challenging economic realities. Learn how to build sustainable funding models for essential social programs through this specialized training course.

This comprehensive training course delves into the core aspects of social protection financing, including assessing fiscal space, costing programs accurately, exploring options for domestic resource mobilization (DRM), managing external aid efficiently, and integrating social spending within national public finance management (PFM) systems. Participants will examine innovative financing mechanisms and develop strategies to ensure the long-term financial health of social protection systems. By completing this training course, you will be equipped to contribute to building resilient and sustainably financed social protection floors, even in resource-constrained environments.

DURATION

10 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Government officials from Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Social Welfare/Labour
• Social protection policymakers, program managers, and analysts
• Public Finance Management (PFM) specialists and budget officers
• Staff of international financial institutions (e.g., World Bank, IMF, AfDB)
• Development partner/donor agency staff working on social protection or public finance
• Researchers and academics focusing on fiscal policy, poverty, and social development
• Civil society organization staff advocating for increased and sustainable social protection financing

COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Understand the key challenges and concepts related to financing social protection in resource-constrained settings.
2. Master frameworks and methodologies for assessing existing and potential fiscal space for social protection.
3. Develop practical skills in accurately costing different types of social protection programs and analyzing their affordability.
4. Identify and evaluate diverse options for mobilizing domestic resources to fund social protection initiatives.
5. Analyze the role, benefits, and challenges of external financing (aid, loans) and how to manage it effectively.
6. Understand how to effectively integrate social protection financing into national budgeting cycles and PFM systems.
7. Explore the potential and feasibility of innovative financing mechanisms for social protection.
8. Develop components of a coherent and sustainable national strategy for financing social protection.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: The Social Protection Financing Imperative

• Understanding the rationale and economic arguments for investing in social protection for this module.
• Mapping the typical financing gaps and challenges in resource-constrained settings for this module.
• Defining key concepts: fiscal space, affordability, sustainability, efficiency in SP financing for this module.
• Exploring the links between social protection financing and broader development goals (SDGs) for this module.
• Examining global trends and benchmarks in social protection spending and financing for this module.

Module 2: Analyzing and Creating Fiscal Space

• Defining the concept of fiscal space and its relevance to social protection for this module.
• Applying established frameworks (e.g., IMF, World Bank) for fiscal space analysis for this module.
• Evaluating options for expanding fiscal space through revenue measures and expenditure reprioritization for this module.
• Assessing the potential for improving the efficiency of existing public spending for this module.
• Considering macroeconomic implications and debt sustainability when creating fiscal space for this module.

Module 3: Costing Social Protection Programs and Affordability Analysis

• Understanding different methodologies for costing social protection interventions (cash transfers, public works, etc.) for this module.
• Utilizing costing tools and simulation models for program design and scenario planning for this module.
• Conducting long-term affordability analysis considering demographic and economic projections for this module.
• Assessing the administrative costs versus program benefit costs for efficiency analysis for this module.
• Linking program costing to budget formulation and resource allocation decisions for this module.

Module 4: Domestic Resource Mobilization (DRM) for Social Protection

• Analyzing the potential for increasing tax revenues (broadening base, improving compliance) for this module.
• Evaluating the feasibility and impact of earmarked taxes or levies for social protection financing for this module.
• Assessing opportunities for expenditure reallocation from less productive sectors (e.g., regressive subsidies) for this module.
• Exploring the potential role of contributory schemes and social insurance in expanding fiscal resources for this module.
• Addressing challenges related to illicit financial flows and strengthening tax administration for this module.

Module 5: Managing External Financing Effectively

• Understanding the different types of external financing (grants, concessional loans, technical assistance) for this module.
• Analyzing the benefits and drawbacks of reliance on donor funding for social protection sustainability for this module.
• Aligning external aid with national priorities and systems (Paris Declaration, Accra Agenda) for this module.
• Managing donor conditionality and reporting requirements efficiently for this module.
• Developing strategies for transitioning from external aid towards greater domestic financing for this module.

Module 6: Integrating SP Financing into Public Finance Management (PFM)

• Incorporating social protection priorities into national development plans and budget frameworks for this module.
• Strengthening linkages with Medium-Term Expenditure Frameworks (MTEFs) for predictable funding for this module.
• Improving budget execution, monitoring, and reporting for social protection expenditures for this module.
• Enhancing transparency and accountability mechanisms in the use of social protection funds for this module.
• Aligning social protection financing with broader PFM reforms and systems for this module.

Module 7: Exploring Innovative Financing Mechanisms

• Understanding the concept and potential of results-based financing and social impact bonds for this module.
• Assessing the feasibility of specific levies (e.g., mobile money tax, airtime levy) for earmarked funding for this module.
• Exploring blended finance models involving public and private sector resources for this module.
• Examining the potential of diaspora bonds or philanthropic contributions for this module.
• Evaluating the scalability and sustainability of various innovative financing approaches for this module.

Module 8: Building a Sustainable National Financing Strategy

• Synthesizing options for creating a diversified and robust financing mix for social protection for this module.
• Analyzing the political economy factors influencing social protection financing decisions for this module.
• Developing communication and advocacy strategies to build support for sustainable SP financing for this module.
• Creating a roadmap for strengthening the national financing framework over the medium-to-long term for this module.
• Ensuring the financing strategy aligns with the overall vision and goals of the national social protection system for this module.

CERTIFICATION

• Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with Macskills Training and Development Institute Certificate

TRAINING VENUE

• Training will be held at Macskills Training Centre. We also tailor make the training upon request at different locations across the world.

AIRPORT PICK UP AND ACCOMMODATION

• Airport pick up and accommodation is arranged upon request

TERMS OF PAYMENT

Payment should be made to Macskills Development Institute bank account before the start of the training and receipts sent to info@macskillsdevelopment.com