Financing Sustainable Social Protection Systems Training Course

Introduction

Securing adequate and predictable funding is the cornerstone of building resilient and comprehensive Social Protection Systems, a critical challenge for many developing nations. This essential training course is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, government officials, economists, financial managers, and development practitioners with the specialized knowledge and strategic insights required to identify and implement innovative financing mechanisms, effectively create fiscal space, and ensure the long-term sustainability of social protection programs. Participants will gain a robust understanding of revenue generation strategies, expenditure efficiency, costing methodologies, and diverse funding models, enabling them to build robust financial foundations for universal social protection. Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes hands-on application, best practices, and real-world case studies pertinent to the dynamic fiscal landscape in Nairobi, Kenya, and across the African continent, empowering you to shape financially viable social safety nets.

This social protection finance course is crucial for individuals and organizations in Kenya and across Africa striving to expand social protection coverage, enhance its adequacy, and ensure its resilience in the face of economic shocks and evolving demographic pressures. Mastering fiscal space analysis for social spending, implementing innovative revenue mobilization strategies, and understanding sustainable financing models for social security are indispensable for translating policy commitments into tangible social outcomes. This program offers an unparalleled opportunity to elevate your expertise in social protection economics and strategic resource mobilization, positioning your organization at the forefront of securing equitable and lasting social welfare for all citizens across the region.

Target Audience

• Ministry of Finance/Treasury Officials
• Social Protection Policy Makers
• Economic Planners & Analysts
• Social Security Fund Administrators
• Parliamentarians and Budget Committee Members
• Development Partners (IMF, World Bank, UN Agencies)
• Researchers in Public Finance & Social Policy

Course Objectives

• Understand the economic rationale and fiscal implications of social protection systems.
• Learn various methods for costing social protection programs and projecting future expenditures.
• Master concepts of fiscal space and strategies for its creation within national budgets.
• Explore innovative domestic revenue mobilization mechanisms for social protection financing.
• Understand different international financing models and aid modalities for social protection.
• Develop proficiency in assessing the long-term financial sustainability of social protection schemes.
• Learn strategies for improving expenditure efficiency and reducing administrative costs.
• Identify legal and institutional frameworks essential for sound social protection financing.
• Develop effective communication and advocacy strategies for securing social protection funding.
• Explore the role of public-private partnerships and social impact investing in financing.
• Understand how social protection financing can contribute to broader macroeconomic stability.
• Drive the development of financially viable and resilient social protection systems.
• Position yourself as an expert in securing the sustainable future of social protection.

Duration

5 Days

Course Content

Module 1: Economic Rationale & Fiscal Context of Social Protection

• The economic case for social protection: poverty reduction, human capital, economic growth
• Overview of social protection instruments and their typical financing models
• Macroeconomic context of social protection financing in developing countries (focus on Kenya)
• Key fiscal challenges: limited fiscal space, competing priorities, informal economy
• Principles of sound public finance for social protection

Module 2: Costing Social Protection Programs

• Methodologies for costing different social protection programs (e.g., cash transfers, pensions, health insurance)
• Projecting future expenditures: demographic changes, inflation, program expansion
• Data requirements and challenges in costing
• Sensitivity analysis and scenario planning for cost projections
• Tools and software for social protection costing (conceptual overview)

Module 3: Creating Fiscal Space for Social Protection

• Defining fiscal space and its importance for social spending
• Strategies for increasing fiscal space:
• Reallocating existing public expenditures
• Enhancing tax revenues (progressive taxation, closing loopholes)
• Managing public debt and deficits responsibly
• Leveraging natural resource revenues
• The political economy of fiscal space creation

Module 4: Innovative Domestic Financing Mechanisms

• Ear-marked taxes and levies for social protection (e.g., sin taxes, wealth taxes)
• Social health insurance contributions and innovative pension models
• Public-private partnerships (PPPs) for social infrastructure
• National lotteries, remittances, and diaspora bonds for social funds
• Financial inclusion linkages: leveraging digital payments for savings/contributions

Module 5: International Financing and Aid Modalities

• Role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in social protection
• Multilateral and bilateral financing for social protection programs
• Debt relief and debt-for-social protection swaps
• Catalytic financing and blended finance approaches
• Conditionality and accountability in international aid for social protection

Module 6: Financial Sustainability and Efficiency

• Assessing the long-term financial viability of social protection schemes
• Improving expenditure efficiency: reducing administrative costs, targeting accuracy
• Risk management for social protection financing (e.g., economic shocks, pandemics)
• Designing financing mechanisms for shock-responsive social protection
• Regular financial reviews and audits for accountability

Module 7: Governance, Legal Frameworks & Advocacy for Financing

• Legal and institutional frameworks for robust social protection financing
• Role of parliaments, finance ministries, and social security boards
• Transparency and accountability in resource management
• Strategic communication and advocacy for increased social protection investment
• Building a national consensus on the importance of sustainable social protection financing

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre.

We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.