IDS analysis of evidence on the use of cash transfers has been helping to influence thinking and shape the development agenda of the European Union (EU). Our input builds on IDS’ extensive, long-term research and influencing work on social protection, not least several evidence and policy contributions over the past year.
Cash transfers as a means of social protection are now firmly integrated in both development and humanitarian policy. Yet they are rarely mentioned in EU development debates. This gap in the EU agenda presented an opportunity to press the case for more investment in them – an opportunity seized by IDS Research Fellow and Co-Director of the Centre for Social Protection, Keetie Roelen.
At a roundtable discussion on cash transfers at the European Parliament in Brussels, in January 2020, Keetie gave a presentation highlighting the excellent evidence on the effectiveness of cash transfer programmes to tackle inequality. The meeting was hosted by Green Party MEP Ellie Chowns and explored whether the EU could do more to support use of cash transfers as a development tool. It included speakers from the Overseas Development Institute, Save the Children and Tilburg University.
Since the roundtable, the European Parliamentary Committee on Development has agreed to commission a report into the use of cash transfers as a policy option for the EU.
Sixth year for short course
In her presentation, Keetie argued for more investment in cash transfer models, which are used increasingly in low- to middle-income countries in government poverty reduction and social protection strategies. She also underlined the importance of additional social services to complement the use of cash.
The Brussels meeting was among several evidence and policy contributions from the IDS-led Centre for Social Protection over the past year. Research in Haiti prompted the local NGO Fonkoze to revise implementation to improve the impact of their graduation programmes on children. As part of a consortium to tackle worst forms of child labour in South Asia, the Centre is developing a cash transfer intervention in slum areas in Bangladesh. It has also expanded research, training and knowledge exchange in areas of graduation, child labour, stigma, and the links between social protection and food security.