GCSPF e-Newsletter #97 - February 2024

The Improving Synergies Between Social Protection and Public Finance Management Programme (SP&PFM) provided medium-term support to multiple countries aiming to strengthen their social protection systems at a national level and ensure sustainable financing.

SP&PFM aimed to support countries in their efforts towards achieving universal social protection coverage. Activities focus on enhancing the design and implementation of social protection systems, ensuring they are gender-sensitive, disability-inclusive and shock-sensitive, as well as improving their financing through strong public finance management.

The COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced the urgency of developing more resilient and adaptable systems. In response to the health emergency, partner countries are working to scale up their social protection systems.

Funded by the European Union (EU), this initiative that started in October 2019 and ended in October 2023 was implemented jointly by the International Labour Organization (ILO), UNICEF, and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), in collaboration with national partners and EU Delegations in each country.

Within this context, the GCSPF assumed the responsibility to facilitate the participation of civil society in Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal and Uganda in the development of national financing strategies based on PFM. This involvement has generated rich experience, knowledge and learnings as documented in the report "Strengthening Civil Society Advocacy Networks for Universal Social Protection: Experiences from Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal, and Uganda". Read more

The SP&PFM Programme was designed to be innovative in many ways. Besides its focus on improved financing and financial monitoring of social protection policy at national level, also improved cooperation between all main stakeholders at the national level was an important aspect of the implementation, knowing that development partners often work in an uncoordinated, even non-complementary way on this issue.

Importantly, it was acknowledged that civil society and its organisations had to be an equal stakeholder in the design, implementation and governance of the programme, hereby acknowledging their stake in the social contract, representing the rights-holders, and to promote a genuine rights-based approach. The GCSPF was entrusted with the task of organising and facilitating civil society participation with regard to the objectives of the programme. As such a complicated task, not only because the focus on PFM was new and at times highly technical, but also because of the complexities around the management of the grant (three ILO subgrantees on behalf of the GCSPF -WSM, HelpAge and Oxfam- acted as coordinating organisations) and the intense engagement of the GCSPF representatives at various levels, topped up by multiple accountability lines. Since, the GCSPF took full ownership of their role in the programme.

In September 2023 members of the GCSPF exchanged and discussed with the GCSPF programme implementers to draw further lessons from this experience, to ask ourselves the relevant questions, to look at the future, for the four country networks and also for the GCSPF as a whole. The four country teams (Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal and Uganda) together with members of the GCSPF gathered for a final workshop that was held in Brussels, so as to maximize the results of this programme. Read more

Experiences from Cambodia, Nepal, Senegal and Uganda

This report highlights the valuable lessons and insights garnered with regards to the network building strategies used by the GCSPF to effectively influence decision makers.

With a focus on inclusiveness, effectiveness, and sustainability, these network-building strategies hold significance in the pursuit of lasting impact on the path to social protection floors and universal social protection. The GCSPF seeks to empower these networks to exert influence and maintain their strength beyond the programme's conclusion.

Through the presentation of our findings, our hope is to inspire CSOs worldwide. We also wish to emphasise the critical message that collaboration is needed not only across borders and between international development partners, but also across different types of CSOs, to overcome divides in strategies, approaches, and ideologies. Read more

The International symposium "Improving synergies between social protection & public finance management" co-hosted by the ILO, UNICEF, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, and the European Union brought together more than 200 participants (policymakers, social partners, civil society, and development partners) from 24 countries to discuss innovative practices and strategies for building sustainable and rights-based social protection. The International Symposium took place in Geneva, Switzerland on 27 and 28 June, 2023. Watch the event recording

Many members of the GCSPF participated in the Symposium online, whereas Uzziel Twagilimana (WSM) and Beatrice Di Padua (ITUC) attended physically. As representatives of the GCSPF, Uzziel Twagilimana moderated the Opening and Panel 1: “Extending social protection to all” and Beatrice di Padua spoke at Panel 5: “Joining forces for universal and sustainable social protection and closing remarks”.

Uzziel Twagilimana moderated the Opening and Panel 1: “Extending social protection to all”.

Beatrice di Padua spoke at Panel 5: “Joining forces for universal and sustainable social protection and closing remarks”.

Read here the June 2023 SP&PFM e-News! This newsletter communicates about ongoing activities and results from the Improving Synergies Between Social Protection and Public Finance Management programme (SP&PFM). SP&PFM is a joint collaboration between the EU, ILO, UNICEF and the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF), which provides medium and shorter-term support to 24 countries aiming to strengthen their social protection systems and ensure their sustainable financing. Read more