Course Details

The Role of Social Protection in Poverty Reduction and Inequality Training Course

INTRODUCTION

This comprehensive training course explores the transformative power of social protection in addressing poverty and inequality, two of the most pressing global challenges. Recognizing that robust social protection systems are crucial for building resilient societies, safeguarding livelihoods, and fostering inclusive growth, this program equips participants with the knowledge and practical skills to design, implement, and evaluate interventions that effectively reduce poverty and narrow disparities. Participants will gain a deep understanding of program types, targeting strategies, financing mechanisms, and the evidence base for impact. This course is ideal for policymakers, program managers, researchers, development practitioners, and advocates committed to creating a more equitable and poverty-free world.

TARGET AUDIENCE

This course is specifically designed for professionals working in social development, economics, public policy, and related fields, including:

• Government officials and policymakers from ministries of social welfare, finance, planning, and national statistics offices.
• Program managers and technical staff from international development organizations, NGOs, and civil society organizations.
• Researchers and academics focusing on poverty, inequality, and social policy.
• Development practitioners and consultants involved in poverty reduction programs.
• Advocates for social justice and economic equity.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the conceptual frameworks of poverty and inequality and their measurement.
• Identify the various roles of social protection instruments in reducing poverty and inequality.
• Analyze different social protection program types and their effectiveness in diverse contexts.
• Develop strategies for designing, financing, and implementing social protection programs for maximum impact.
• Advocate for evidence-based social protection policies to achieve sustainable poverty reduction and equity.

MODULES

Module 1: Understanding Poverty and Inequality

• Define absolute and relative poverty, and discuss their multidimensional aspects.
• Explore various measures and indicators of poverty and inequality (e.g., Gini coefficient, Palma ratio).
• Analyze the drivers of poverty and inequality, including economic, social, and structural factors.
• Discuss the concept of vulnerability and its relationship to poverty.
• Examine global and national trends in poverty and income distribution.

Module 2: Foundations of Social Protection

• Define social protection and its core objectives in reducing poverty and vulnerability.
• Explore the main instruments of social protection: social assistance, social insurance, and labor market programs.
• Discuss the human rights basis for social protection and its role in achieving social justice.
• Understand the concept of a social protection floor and its universal relevance.
• Examine different models and approaches to social protection systems globally.

Module 3: Social Protection's Direct Impact on Poverty Reduction

• Analyze how cash transfer programs (conditional and unconditional) directly reduce poverty.
• Discuss the role of food assistance and in-kind benefits in alleviating food insecurity.
• Explore the impact of public works programs on income generation and asset creation for the poor.
• Examine the immediate poverty reduction effects of unemployment benefits and pensions.
• Understand how social assistance programs provide a safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable.

Module 4: Social Protection's Role in Reducing Inequality

• Discuss how progressive targeting of social protection benefits can redistribute income.
• Analyze the impact of social insurance schemes on reducing income disparities over the life cycle.
• Explore how universal social protection provisions can reduce horizontal inequalities (e.g., gender, disability).
• Examine the role of social protection in closing rural-urban divides and regional disparities.
• Understand how social protection can empower marginalized groups, leading to greater equity.

Module 5: Designing Pro-Poor and Inclusive Social Protection Programs

• Develop effective targeting mechanisms to ensure social protection reaches the poorest and most vulnerable.
• Design benefit levels and transfer mechanisms that are adequate for poverty reduction.
• Address issues of coverage, access, and inclusion for marginalized populations.
• Plan for robust grievance redress mechanisms and accountability to beneficiaries.
• Incorporate gender-responsive and disability-inclusive considerations into program design.

Module 6: Financing Social Protection for Poverty Reduction

• Analyze various financing models for social protection programs (e.g., tax-based, contribution-based).
• Explore strategies for increasing fiscal space for expanding social protection coverage.
• Discuss the role of innovative financing mechanisms and international aid.
• Examine the economic rationale and cost-effectiveness of investing in social protection.
• Address issues of financial sustainability and long-term planning for national social protection systems.

Module 7: Monitoring and Evaluating Poverty and Inequality Impacts

• Develop robust M&E frameworks to track social protection's effects on poverty and inequality.
• Design indicators for measuring changes in income, consumption, and multidimensional poverty.
• Apply methodologies for rigorous impact evaluation to establish causality.
• Utilize disaggregated data to analyze effects on different population groups and dimensions of inequality.
• Learn to interpret and communicate M&E findings to inform policy and program adjustments.

Module 8: Policy Coherence, Sustainability, and Future Directions

• Identify opportunities for policy coherence between social protection and other sectors (e.g., education, health, labor).
• Discuss strategies for building political will and public support for robust social protection systems.
• Explore the role of social protection in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 and 10.
• Examine emerging challenges and opportunities for social protection in a changing world (e.g., climate change, digitalization).
• Advocate for the universalization and strengthening of social protection systems as foundational to poverty reduction and equality.

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