Over the last 20 years, more than 100 countries have implemented social safety nets, targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable. Impact evaluations have shown the effectiveness of these programmes, and policymakers have explored different methods of delivery, including cash transfers.

Cash Transfers for Poverty Reduction offers the first systematic discussion of the design and implementation of poverty reduction schemes, and cash transfer programmes in particular. The authors also draw on their own practical experience and present global case studies in order to show the effects that these decisions have on operations and outcomes.

Featuring end-of-chapter questions and answers to help test your knowledge, this book offers an operational guide for key stakeholders, officials and students in understanding the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of cash transfer programmes.

Publication: November 23, 2023


Authors:

Francisco V. Ayala is President of Ayala Consulting Corporation/SOPROEN (since 1996) and has more than 25 years of experience as an International Social Protection Consultant.

David Lawson is Associate Professor Development Economics and Public Policy at the University of Manchester, Adjunct Professor at the University of Helsinki, and Visiting Professor at the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing


Endorsements:


“This ground-breaking book fills a big gap in social protection knowledge. It examines in detail how to effectively and efficiently deliver cash transfers – from organisational capacity assessment to cost analysis and case mangement. If you want to know how to deliver poverty-reducing cash transfers, this book is essential reading.

Professor David Hulme, University of Manchester


“This excellent book contributes on the basics of the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of cash transfer programs in developing countries. One of its great strengths is the use of country examples and experiences to illustrate key concepts and lessons learned.”

Cem MetePhD, Practice Manager, the World Bank.


“It is a valuable contribution to learning how to design and implement social protection interventions. It provides information which is essential to enhance the human capital of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

Eulalia Flor Recaldeprofessor at the Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, Ecuador.


“Social Protection is high on the agenda of many national governments and international development partners. In this context, cash transfers can play an important role to cover the poor and vulnerable in particular (SDG 1.3). While most publications on the topic only discuss the impacts of cash transfer programmes this book by Francisco Ayala and David Lawson drills deeper and explains HOW to engineer these schemes and ensure that they are effective and efficient. Mandatory reading for social protection practitioners! Dr Patrick Rudolph, Head of Division Health & Social Protection Asia, KfW Development Bank”

Dr Patrick Rudolph, Principal Portfolio Manager, KfW Development Bank, Health & Social Protection Asia