The SPF-I: towards a joint position on Social Protection in Europe and Central Asia SHEILA MARNIE UNDP

First Proposal: joint messages around 8 main themes  Defining social protection in the context of the SPF-I  Social Protection and Social Inclusion: the links/ new approaches  Individual case management approaches in the region  Financing of Social Protection systems  Distribution of expenditure on social protection  Coverage and Adequacy of Benefits/ Transfers  Strengthening linkages between labour markets and social protection  Data and Definitions of minimum subsistence levels

1. Confusion in definitions ◦Social protection as a “sector” – social security with an emphasis on protection from economic deprivation through support in the form of income transfers ◦or ◦Social protection as a right – protection from a broad range of deprivations and risks, through social policies which include but are not limited to cash transfers

1. Approaches to Social Protection in the region Protection focus: protection against a defined set of risks Sector approach social assistance, social insurance (social security), social services (to a lesser extent) Two principal justifications for social protection Rights based approaches Investment in human capital, building resilience The region’s historical tradition does not recognize the role of social protection either in supporting realization of rights, nor investing in human capital, leading to a welfarist conception of social protection

2. Social protection and social inclusion  The region is characterized by much reduced rate of extreme and absolute poverty, but with groups that are marginalized and excluded, for example on the basis of ethnicity, or disability  Inclusion and social policies: imply a more relative approach (well-established in EU):  Compatible with “leaving no-one behind” and SDGs  More and more relevant for the region

1/2 Social Protection Floor Combines rights to: Basic Services for All o Healthcare, Education, Water, Sanitation, Social Care, Housing o Basic Income Security for All – across the life cycle o For Children o For persons of active age o For older persons o And a focus on tackling exclusion o Expanding horizontally and vertically as economies grow

Need for an integrated approach to address economic and social vulnerability and exclusion risk An integrated approach is desirable, linking access to cash benefits with support to access to other services, to address the multiple drivers of poverty and exclusion in the region “Programmes still tend to be designed in a ‘silo’ fashion, with social protection benefits and social support and care services not linked together or delivered holistically. This results in fragmented social protection initiatives that do not address multiple drivers of poverty and social exclusion at the same time, and generates duplications in coverage, and money and time waste.”

3. Key to more integrated approaches: Individual Case Management Individual case management needed in order to determine and direct to the mix of cash and care services which the individual beneficiary requires It provides possibility to link traditional social security systems to access to other basic services, including employment services Shortage of social workers.. Moreover, there is a need for more innovative outreach for those who face discrimination and prohibitive social norms

4/5. The region is under- investing in social protection Source: ILO, World Social Protection Report 2014/2015.

4/5 Pensions and health care get most of the “pie” Source: ILO, World Social Protection Report 2014/2015.

Social Assistance SOCIAL ASSISTANCE Last-resort social assistance / Guaranteed minimum income Family/child benefits/ allowances Non- contributory pensions Non- contributory maternity benefits Childcare benefits Housing benefits and subsidies War veteran benefits Disability benefits Adoption/ fostering allowances Spending on social assistance as a proportion of social protection is very low in the region, as is the proportion of spending on social assistance that goes to children and families

6. Coverage of lowest quintile; and Adequacy are low

 Informal employment  Over-taxation of labour  Lack of individual approaches 7. Improving links to Labour Market

4/5 Alternative Financing Options Redire ct Collect Attract

In the region, labour market exclusion reinforces social protection exclusion Improving support for the working poor Active labour market support and services are also underfunded and do not reach those most excluded Individual case management techniques for social protection need to be introduced for labour / employment services Extending coverage to informal sector workers 7. Improving links to the Labour Market

8. Underlying Issue: Data  Use comparable indicators to measure social protection performance  Subsistence minimums need to be adequately defined (and regularly reviewed)  In ECIS often limited to ‘basic food basket’  Qualitative data fundamental for understanding exclusion processes

Messages  Rights-based approach and SDGs, social protection: need to improve communication  SP has to be designed in an integrated manner, with a review around ‘roles’ to achieve social security rights and social inclusion  SP cannot take on these roles without more systematic investment in individual case management and baskets of cash and care  In ECIS many excluded due to narrow targeting, focus on meeting basic needs, rather than on inclusion “leaving no-one behind”

Messages  Funding and coverage low, with few signs of appetite for horizontal and vertical expansion  Alternative financing options are necessary – and available, if the political will is there!  Data needed to accurately assess reach and impact of social protection, and inform minimum subsistence levels, and funding priorities