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Targeting Social Transfer Programmes: Comparing Design and Implementation Errors Across Alternative Mechanisms

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  • Rachel Sabates-Wheeler
  • Alex Hurrell
  • Stephen Devereux

Abstract

Identifying the poorest for selection into social transfer programmes is a major challenge facing programme implementers. An innovative cash transfer programme in northern Kenya trialed three targeting mechanisms to learn lessons about which approach is most effective at minimizing inclusion and exclusion errors. We conclude that community-based targeting is the most accurate of the three approaches, followed by categorical targeting by age and household dependency ratio. However, targeting performance is strongly affected by implementation capacity and modalities.

Suggested Citation

  • Rachel Sabates-Wheeler & Alex Hurrell & Stephen Devereux, 2014. "Targeting Social Transfer Programmes: Comparing Design and Implementation Errors Across Alternative Mechanisms," WIDER Working Paper Series wp-2014-040, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    • Handle: RePEc:unu:wpaper:wp-2014-040
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    File URL: https://www.wider.unu.edu/sites/default/files/wp2014-040.pdf
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ravallion, Martin, 2007. "How relevant is targeting to the success of an antipoverty program ?," Policy Research Working Paper Series 4385, The World Bank.
    2. Giovanni Andrea Cornia & Frances Stewart, 1993. "Two errors of targeting," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 5(5), pages 459-496, September.
      • Giovanni Andrea Cornia & Frances Stewart, 1993. "Two Errors of Targeting," Papers iopeps93/54, Innocenti Occasional Papers, Economic Policy Series.
    3. Conning, Jonathan & Kevane, Michael, 2002. "Community-Based Targeting Mechanisms for Social Safety Nets: A Critical Review," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 30(3), pages 375-394, March.
    4. repec:wbk:wbpubs:2597 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Frank Ellis & Stephen Devereux & Phillip White, 2009. "Social Protection in Africa," Books, Edward Elgar Publishing, number 13393.
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    Cited by:

    1. Stoeffler, Quentin & Mills, Bradford & del Ninno, Carlo, 2016. "Reaching the Poor: Cash Transfer Program Targeting in Cameroon," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 244-263.
    2. Juan M Villa, 2016. "A harmonised proxy means test for Kenya’s National Safety Net programme," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series 032016, GDI, The University of Manchester.

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