Evaluation Study on Appropriate Models of Livelihood Strategies for Social Protection in Zambia: Final Report
Consultants to the Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Republic of Zambia (2007)
What livelihoods promotion models have been effective in Zambia? Are there models from elsewhere that could be appropriately implemented in Zambia as part of a Social Protection Strategy?
This evaluation study report assesses which of 20 livelihoods promotion schemes currently operating in Zambia have been successful in raising incomes and reducing vulnerability, with a view to assessing their potential as components of a social protection strategy. It also reviews eight schemes being implemented internationally to assess which have potential for further implementation in Zambia. The study emphasises that traditional social protection mechanisms are increasingly under stress, while the formal social protection schemes cover a very small proportion of the population.
The report highlights that:
Where existing livelihoods promotion programmes have been implemented fully, supported by the government and timed appropriately, they have generally been effective in raising income levels.
However, the pervasiveness of poverty, the inadequate and piecemeal nature of interventions and the weakness of the institutional arrangements suggest a need to review the entire system and strengthen the capacity of the various actors involved.
In general terms, the study recommends that:
Social protection strategies should adopt a holistic approach
in order to meet multiple needs, and a medium term budgeting approach
should be adopted.
For livelihoods promotion strategies, the government should take
the lead in measuring success in terms of human capital development
as well as in economic terms.
Social Cash Transfers should be scaled up to all eligible households
in Zambia, which would involve allocating 0.5 percent of GDP towards
social cash transfers, or less than 10 percent of poverty reduction
programmes resources.
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