Role of civil society organisations in the advancement of social protection systems

Over the past decade social protection has risen to the top of international and national development agenda’s and has become one of the key policy priorities of many low- and middle income countries. Compared to its technical dimension, the political dimension of social protection systems remains underexposed in research so far. Hence, insight in the role of different political actors and power dynamics in the design, management or reform of social protection systems is limited. At the same time claims arise that the space for civil society is shrinking in many parts of the world. Against this backdrop this paper puts forward the question: What role do civil society organizations play in the advancement of social protection systems? Based on a literature study of over 40 publications discussing general trends in social protection as well as country-specific dynamics across all continents, and complemented with exploratory fieldwork in Morocco and Senegal, the paper synthesizes 1) the current evidence related to the impact of civil society organization involvement on social protection systems; 2) at what stages and through what levers civil society organisations attempt to influence social protection policy; 3) the factors that contribute to their success or failure. The existing literature conveys a strong assumption of the positive contribution of civil society organisations to social protection and individual case studies often support and illustrate the important role of civil society. Yet, comprehensive and cross-case analysis of the relationship between the quality of social protection systems and civil society involvement is lacking. Cross-cutting analysis of case study literature reveals that civil society organisations engage with social protection policy at all stages of the policy cycle. The paper offers a mapping of the different strategies used to exert influence in the different stage of the policy process. Finally, the paper identifies determinants for the influence CSOs can have on ongoing social protection policy processes. These include internal factors characterizing the civil society organization, and external factors related to the broader political context in which they operate, including the interplay between old and new civil society organisations. The paper reflects on what these findings can mean for civil society organisations and other development actors aiming to advance social protection.

Jaar van publicatie:2016

Toegankelijkheid:Open