Bridging the social protection gap for Zambia’s vulnerable children

Genesis has been contracted by the World Bank to support the Government of Zambia to design and pilot service delivery models for the inclusion of vulnerable children orphaned or affected by Covid-19 and other adversities into the country’s Social Cash Transfer Programme.

The programme is one of the most comprehensive social protection programmes in the region and covers over one million households. It acts as an essential lifeline to many vulnerable families. However, concerns have been raised about its ability to target the most vulnerable children in Zambia, particularly following the impacts of the pandemic and increasing climate shocks such as the ongoing drought.

The project seeks to answer three key questions: 

• Who are the most vulnerable children in Zambia? 
• Are they currently covered by the Social Cash Transfer Programme?
• If not, how can they be incorporated?

Genesis is working with Save the Children Zambia to carry out this assignment. The project is focused on addressing practical and operational gaps that restrict effective and adequate delivery of social protection assistance to vulnerable children.

Specifically, Genesis and Save the Children will support the government by making recommendations for the revision of the targeting guidelines for the Social Cash Transfer Programme, suggesting changes to the case management guidelines, and developing a capacity building and implementation plan to ensure that the proposed changes are carried forward.

In addition to supporting the government in piloting these recommended revisions, Genesis and Save the Children will produce a “Lessons Learnt” report and PowerPoint presentation to ensure that the key messaging is taken forward.