Social protection systems and their linkages

In much of the global South, social protection programmes were introduced relatively recently and have not yet been institutionalised. Indicators of institutionalisation include the scaling up of pilot projects to national programmes, the transfer of management and financing responsibilities from development agencies to national governments, the promulgation of social protection policies and framework legislation, and the adoption of a rights-based approach. A social protection system must be built at three levels - policy, programme and administrative - and comprises multiple social assistance and social insurance schemes, coordination mechanisms and implementation capacities. Management information systems, beneficiary registries and social accountability mechanisms such as complaint procedures are all building blocks of an efficient and well-functioning system. Following the International Social Security Association guidelines on good governance for social protection systems, five principles should be followed: accountability of officials, transparency, predictability, participation of all stakeholders, and dynamism to respond to evolving needs.