Course Details

Urban Resilience in Crisis: Shock-Responsive Social Protection Training Course

INTRODUCTION

Rapid urbanization presents unique challenges for poverty reduction and crisis response. Urban contexts, characterized by high population density, significant informality, complex governance structures, and diverse vulnerabilities, require specifically tailored approaches to social protection, especially when faced with increasing shocks like economic downturns, health crises, and climate events. This vital training course focuses on Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) designed explicitly for the complexities of urban environments. Learn how to build adaptable safety nets that effectively reach and support vulnerable populations in cities before, during, and after crises through this specialized SRSP training course.

This comprehensive training course delves into the practical challenges and innovative solutions for implementing Shock-Responsive Social Protection in urban contexts. Participants will explore effective strategies for targeting, registration, and delivering assistance amidst urban diversity and mobility, leveraging technology, and coordinating amongst a multitude of urban actors. Gain the critical skills to design, manage, and evaluate SRSP systems that enhance urban resilience and address the specific needs of the urban poor and those living in informal settlements by participating in this essential training course.

DURATION

5 days

TARGET AUDIENCE

• Social protection program managers and practitioners working in urban areas
• Municipal and city government officials (social services, planning, disaster management, finance)
• Urban planners and urban development specialists
• Humanitarian response professionals operating in urban emergencies
• Staff of NGOs and community-based organizations working in urban informal settlements
• Researchers focusing on urban poverty, vulnerability, resilience, and social protection
• Professionals involved in designing or implementing cash transfer or safety net programs in cities

COURSE OBJECTIVES

• Understand the unique characteristics, vulnerabilities, and shock dynamics prevalent in urban contexts.
• Analyze the specific challenges and opportunities for designing and implementing SRSP in urban settings, including informal settlements.
• Develop appropriate strategies for targeting and registering vulnerable populations in diverse, dense, and mobile urban environments.
• Evaluate and select effective and feasible delivery mechanisms (including digital payments) suited for urban social protection.
• Learn techniques for coordinating SRSP efforts effectively among various urban stakeholders (government, humanitarian, community).
• Identify how to adapt existing social protection instruments to enhance their responsiveness to shocks within urban constraints.
• Explore linkages between urban SRSP, disaster risk reduction, climate adaptation, and broader urban resilience planning.
• Strengthen capacity to monitor, evaluate, and ensure accountability of SRSP interventions in complex urban contexts.

COURSE CONTENT

Module 1: Urbanization, Shocks, and the Need for Urban SRSP

• Understanding global urbanization trends and their implications for poverty and vulnerability for this module.
• Identifying the specific types of shocks prevalent in urban contexts (economic, health, climate, conflict, etc.) for this module.
• Analyzing the unique characteristics of urban poverty and vulnerability, including in informal settlements, for this module.
• Defining Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP) and its specific relevance to urban environments for this module.
• Exploring the rationale for tailored urban SRSP approaches versus rural models for this module.

Module 2: Assessing Vulnerability and Resilience in Urban Settings

• Applying vulnerability assessment frameworks specifically to urban populations and geographies for this module.
• Mapping risks and identifying hotspots within cities, including climate risks and informal settlement vulnerabilities, for this module.
• Understanding urban resilience concepts and frameworks relevant to social protection for this module.
• Analyzing the role of urban systems (transport, markets, services) in shaping vulnerability and coping capacity for this module.
• Utilizing participatory methods to understand vulnerability from the perspective of urban residents for this module.

Module 3: Targeting, Registration, and Identification in Cities

• Examining the challenges of targeting the poor and vulnerable in anonymous and mobile urban populations for this module.
• Exploring different targeting approaches suitable for urban contexts (geographical, community-based, proxy means tests) for this module.
• Utilizing technology and data (e.g., mobile data, satellite imagery) for improved urban targeting and registration for this module.
• Addressing challenges related to lack of formal addresses and identification documents in urban informal settlements for this module.
• Developing strategies for rapid registration and verification during urban crises for this module.

Module 4: Delivery Mechanisms for Urban Social Protection

• Evaluating the suitability of various delivery mechanisms (cash, vouchers, in-kind) in urban settings for this module.
• Leveraging digital payment systems (mobile money, bank transfers) for efficient urban delivery for this module.
• Addressing challenges related to financial infrastructure, literacy, and access in poor urban areas for this module.
• Designing logistics for in-kind distribution or public works programs in dense urban environments for this module.
• Ensuring safety and security aspects of delivery mechanisms in high-crime urban areas for this module.

Module 5: Institutional Coordination and Partnerships in Urban SRSP

• Mapping the complex landscape of urban actors (municipal govt., national agencies, utilities, CSOs, private sector) for this module.
• Establishing effective coordination platforms and mechanisms for urban shock response involving social protection for this module.
• Clarifying roles and responsibilities between different levels of government and non-state actors in urban SRSP for this module.
• Strengthening coordination between humanitarian and development actors in protracted urban crises for this module.
• Engaging community structures and local leaders in urban SRSP planning and implementation for this module.

Module 6: Adapting SP Programs for Urban Shock Response

• Modifying existing cash transfer programs for rapid scale-up in urban areas for this module.
• Designing urban public works programs that provide income support and build community assets post-shock for this module.
• Adapting social insurance or subsidy programs to respond to specific urban shocks (e.g., utility bill support) for this module.
• Linking SRSP beneficiaries with essential urban services (health, WASH, education) during crises for this module.
• Developing contingency plans and standard operating procedures (SOPs) for urban SRSP activation for this module.

Module 7: Integrating Urban SRSP with Broader Resilience Planning

• Mainstreaming SRSP considerations into urban development planning and zoning regulations for this module.
• Linking SRSP with urban disaster risk reduction (DRR) and climate change adaptation strategies for this module.
• Exploring how SRSP can support urban food security and market stabilization during crises for this module.
• Connecting SRSP with efforts to improve housing and infrastructure in informal settlements for this module.
• Advocating for the inclusion of SRSP in city-level resilience strategies and financing plans for this module.

Module 8: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) and Accountability in Urban Contexts

• Developing appropriate MEL frameworks and indicators for tracking urban SRSP effectiveness and reach for this module.
• Addressing challenges in data collection and monitoring within dynamic and complex urban settings for this module.
• Utilizing technology for real-time monitoring and beneficiary feedback in urban programs for this module.
• Establishing robust grievance redress mechanisms accessible to diverse urban populations for this module.
• Ensuring accountability of SRSP interventions to beneficiaries, communities, and local authorities in urban areas 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