Why citizens’ perceptions matter:

1. Why citizens’ perceptions matter: (same image as on front of country briefing – to be confirmed) Dr. Nicola Jones, Research Fellow, n.jones@odi.org.uk Bath, December 3, 2013 social safety nets and state-citizen relations in the post-Arab spring

2. Overview • Context: growing regional interest in social safety net reform and implications for state-citizen relations • Empirical findings: results from Transforming Cash Transfers beneficiary perception study MENA cases • Right to information • Right to complain • Right to a voice • Importance of relationships of trust • Need for governance frameworks and systems • Conclusions and ways forward

3. 1. The Arab Spring and a regional rethink about a state-citizen contract

4. Rethinking the state-citizen contract Historically… • Regional norm relied on a redistribution system that protected against destitution through universal food and fuel subsidies for all citizens • Gov’ts responded to crises by scaling up subsidies or expanding public employment but system was hard to sustain fiscally • Moreover, regressive approach to social policy, with minimal empowerment dividends More recently…. • Reform is on the agenda but politically complex • Optimistic view is that social safety nets could enhance the state-citizen contract (Silva et al., 2013) • Realists however caution that inducing civic participation in programme governance is fraught with challenges and trajectories are often non-linear (Mansuri and Rao, 2013)

5. Challenge of high vulnerability/ low levels of resilience

6. SSN spending with/out subsidies in MENA cf. developing world

7. A renewed interest in the politics of social safety nets

8. Towards a transformative social protection agenda?

9. Safety nets and citizenship in conflict-affected contexts • Increasing interest in potential of social transfers, to strengthen state legitimacy and citizenship in conflict-affected contexts (Carpeneter et al., 2012) • However, the evidence base is quite limited. Osofian (2011) finds positive evidence in Kenya’s HSNP but troubling evidence in Sierra Leone’s Social Safety Net programme of exacerbated state-citizen tensions • Consensus that it is not just what services are provided, but whether they are provided in a way that preserves/ builds individual and group dignity (Ringold et al., 2012). • A new focus on the politics of implementation – rather than more common politics of adoption that has dominated political economy

10. 2. Transforming cash transfers beneficiary perceptions study DFID-funded cross regional study in MENA and SSA looking at beneficiary perceptions of unconditional cash transfer programmes in conflict- affected contexts Qualitative research study looking at programme participants’ views on programme functioning , impacts and governance

11. Middle East case study findings Palestinian National Cash Transfer Programme in Gaza and the West Bank Yemen’s Social Welfare Fund

12. Programmes in a nutshell

13. Qualitative research methodology

14. A right to information • Little investment in strategic communication of programme objectives, targeting, provisions to beneficiaries/ public • ‘It is a gift from God and we buy rice and sugar. When we receive the amount it is a happy day for us [...] I know nothing about the programme, sometimes they say it is support from abroad or from the president, I don’t know.’ (beneficiary woman, Taiz, Yemen). • Lack of explicit budget and plans for communication as part of programme design and implementation considerations • e.g. in oPT low awareness that programme is 50% funded by Palestinian Authority; assumption is donor funding. • Results in widespread suspicion and frustration –between beneficiaries and service providers; and national & subnational programme staff • ‘The formula is like the coca-cola secret formula – we know nothing…’ (male FGD, Jenin, West Bank)

15. “I feel guilty and powerless – I cannot explain why some people are excluded or included. So I can listen to people’s problems but I can’t really do much. I just gather information but don’t have a role in decision-making. It is a very frustrating working environment.’ Social worker, Jenin, West Bank “Even if we were hanging by a rope they would not help us! They don’t tell us anything [about other services and entitlements] – only from each other and our neighbours do we learn about our rights.’ Bedouin woman, West Bank.

16. A right to complain “The CT is a compensation for the Palestinian people, because they have been uprooted and displaced’ (male refugee, beneficiary, Gaza). ‘This is better than a hand-out. It is my right’ (Older female beneficiary, Hebron, West Bank). Beneficiaries are less aware of their rights. Post office and SWF workers treat beneficiaries with no respect’ (community leader, male, Zabid, Yemen). • A grievance system exists in oPT but citizen confidence is limited; increasing use of media exposés to call implementers to account. • In Yemen officials are ostensibly open to receiving complaints but there is no official grievance system; although matters are sometimes addressed informally

17. A right to a voice • Beyond information provision, institutionalised feedback channels and spaces for interaction can be key to strengthening the relationship between service providers and beneficiaries • More challenging in UCT programmes as less regular contact between implementers and beneficiaries • No direct contact on payment days • Short annual visits by social workers in OPT and Yemen • Only informal information-sharing between beneficiaries • When we meet we talk about our concerns, but there are no places where we can raise our voices and speak up. It would be great if these places existed...But the people we speak to should be in a position to help …people who can decide, and can provide us with the things we really need’ (Female beneficiary, Rafah, Gaza). Similarly, strong demand to be involved in tracking and measuring impact, but dearth of participatory M&E mechanisms (e.g. social audits, community monitoring groups, score cards)

18. The importance of relationships of trust Merely receiving services from the state doesn’t mean people feel as if they are citizens of the state; how they are treated by the state is a critical factor in shaping sentiments of citizenship (Eybenand Ladbury, 2006; Corbridge, 2005) ‘Being poor means desperation, humility and disrespect’ (FGD, males, Taiz, Yemen). ‘Key blockages include: • excessive social worker caseloads; • social workers’data collection & policing mandate not advice, referrals • the corrosive nature of ‘wasta’; “There is political Involvement and biases … The main challenge is that community leaders are given the main role in selection (Youth leader, Taiz, Yemen).

19. The need for governance frameworks and systems • Tembo (2013) cautions when multiple players are engaged in programme delivery, without clear guidance /oversight, confusion can prevail. • CTs in oPT and Yemen involve a complex web of actors with significant coordination and capacity challenges, and thus promoting active citizenship will require a clear governance framework and system. • Single registry systems are a useful tool: • OPT provides example of promising practice for coordination, information sharing • A strong M&E culture is also key to good governance (Joshi and Houtzager, 2012) but not well embedded in our cases, but some improvements: • Palestine’s MOSA is facilitating coordination of a cluster of donor-funded impact assessments • Yemen, with support from donors, is also improving M&E

20. 3. Conclusions and ways forward

21. Further reading • Hickey, S. and Bracking, S. (2005) ‘Exploring the politics of chronic poverty: from representation to a politics of justice?’ World Development 33(6): 851–65. • Jones, N. and Samuels, F. with Malachowska, A. (2013) Holding Cash Transfers to Account: Beneficiary and community perspectives. Synthesis Report. London: ODI • Jones, N. and Shaheen, M. (2012) Transforming Cash Transfers: Beneficiary and community perspectives on the Palestinian National Cash Transfer Programme. Part 2: The case of the West Bank. London: ODI. • Silva, J., Levin, V. and Morgandi, M. (2013) Inclusion and resilience: the way forward for social safety nets in the Middle East and North Africa. Washington DC: International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank. • Tembo, F. (2013) Rethinking Social Accountability in Africa: Lessons from the Mwananchi Programme. London: ODI. • Also see: Transformingcashtransfers.org