This note summarizes the work carried out under the Rapid social response (RSR) trust fund which is linked to the Bank activity for Somalia social protection.
... See More + This activity builds on the existing work of development partners and humanitarian organizations in Somalia and tries to inform the development of a social protection policy and framework through analysis and by identifying gaps and entry points. Given Somalia’s unique context, in which the government is in the initial stages of setting up an institutional and regulatory framework and where conflict and climate are constantly affecting socioeconomic dynamics, there was a need to analyze and curate practices that work best and build a common consensus on effective approaches. For this purpose, the work undertaken by the RSR funded activities had a specific focus on targeting and delivery mechanisms adopted by the cash transfer and other safety net schemes including remittances.
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It has been the Israeli government’s explicit goal to position Israel at the core of the knowledge economy. The purpose of this report is to describe the environment for internet entrepreneurship in Israel and analyze how government policies have contributed to the development of a vibrant ecosystem that spurred a high rate of technological innovation and entrepreneurship.
... See More + The objective is to draw conclusions from Israel’s growth experience that can inform developing countries. Chapter 1 starts with the background and sources for the development of the ICT Sector in Israel. As the authors show in chapter 2 and throughout the report, there is broad agreement as to the significant role played by the government in the emergence and development of Israel's vibrant and dynamic high-tech sector, of which the ICT industry is an important part. In chapter 3 the authors do the analysis of the ICT Ecosystem for Entrepreneurship in Israel. In chapter 4 the authors describe in several case studies how start-ups have developed within the ICT ecosystem. Chapter 5 compares Israel with Singapore. The closing chapter deals with lessons that emerging markets and developing countries could employ to develop their own ICT sectors.
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Integrating financial education programs (FEPs) into government cash transfer programs has recently emerged as a strategic policy objective around the world.
... See More + Adequate financial knowledge and skills – the key factors of financial capability – are necessary for cash transfer program beneficiaries to access and use their accounts or cash transfers effectively. Designing a FEP for maximum impact requires extensive customization to the local programmatic and cultural context to address the audiences efficiently and take advantage of the synergies with other government programs and non-government initiatives. This Learner’s Manual is a part of the suite of reference training materials that also includes a Trainer’s Manual and a Trainer of Trainers’ Manual (see volumes 2 and 3). The suite forms a foundation for policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing FEPs that are tailored to the local context and, as is appropriate in most cases, could be delivered without the benefit of literacy and numeracy from learners. The audio-visual approach makes the content easier to learn, relate to, and conducive to discussions among adult learners. The Trainers’ Manual is built around the Learner’s Manual and provides guidelines on conducting each training session. Similarly, the Trainer of Trainers’ Manual is developed to guide master trainers during their sessions with the trainers. The core content is structured in 19 sessions, including one on mobile money.
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Integrating financial education programs (FEPs) into government cash transfer programs has recently emerged as a strategic policy objective around the world.
... See More + Adequate financial knowledge and skills – the key factors of financial capability – are necessary for cash transfer program beneficiaries to access and use their accounts or cash transfers effectively. Designing a FEP for maximum impact requires extensive customization to the local programmatic and cultural context to address the audiences efficiently and take advantage of the synergies with other government programs and non-government initiatives. This Learner’s Manual is a part of the suite of reference training materials that also includes a Trainer’s Manual and a Trainer of Trainers’ Manual (see volumes 2 and 3). The suite forms a foundation for policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing FEPs that are tailored to the local context and, as is appropriate in most cases, could be delivered without the benefit of literacy and numeracy from learners. The audio-visual approach makes the content easier to learn, relate to, and conducive to discussions among adult learners. The Trainers’ Manual is built around the Learner’s Manual and provides guidelines on conducting each training session. Similarly, the Trainer of Trainers’ Manual is developed to guide master trainers during their sessions with the trainers. The core content is structured in 19 sessions, including one on mobile money.
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Integrating financial education programs (FEPs) into government cash transfer programs has recently emerged as a strategic policy objective around the world.
... See More + Adequate financial knowledge and skills – the key factors of financial capability – are necessary for cash transfer program beneficiaries to access and use their accounts or cash transfers effectively. Designing a FEP for maximum impact requires extensive customization to the local programmatic and cultural context to address the audiences efficiently and take advantage of the synergies with other government programs and non-government initiatives. This Learner’s Manual is a part of the suite of reference training materials that also includes a Trainer’s Manual and a Trainer of Trainers’ Manual (see volumes 2 and 3). The suite forms a foundation for policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing FEPs that are tailored to the local context and, as is appropriate in most cases, could be delivered without the benefit of literacy and numeracy from learners. The audio-visual approach makes the content easier to learn, relate to, and conducive to discussions among adult learners. The Trainers’ Manual is built around the Learner’s Manual and provides guidelines on conducting each training session. Similarly, the Trainer of Trainers’ Manual is developed to guide master trainers during their sessions with the trainers. The core content is structured in 19 sessions, including one on mobile money.
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Integrating financial education programs (FEPs) into government cash transfer programs has recently emerged as a strategic policy objective around the world.
... See More + Adequate financial knowledge and skills – the key factors of financial capability – are necessary for cash transfer program beneficiaries to access and use their accounts or cash transfers effectively. Designing a FEP for maximum impact requires extensive customization to the local programmatic and cultural context to address the audiences efficiently and take advantage of the synergies with other government programs and non-government initiatives. This Learner’s Manual is a part of the suite of reference training materials that also includes a Trainer’s Manual and a Trainer of Trainers’ Manual (see volumes 2 and 3). The suite forms a foundation for policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing FEPs that are tailored to the local context and, as is appropriate in most cases, could be delivered without the benefit of literacy and numeracy from learners. The audio-visual approach makes the content easier to learn, relate to, and conducive to discussions among adult learners. The Trainers’ Manual is built around the Learner’s Manual and provides guidelines on conducting each training session. Similarly, the Trainer of Trainers’ Manual is developed to guide master trainers during their sessions with the trainers. The core content is structured in 19 sessions, including one on mobile money.
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Integrating financial education programs (FEPs) into government cash transfer programs has recently emerged as a strategic policy objective around the world.
... See More + Adequate financial knowledge and skills – the key factors of financial capability – are necessary for cash transfer program beneficiaries to access and use their accounts or cash transfers effectively. Designing a FEP for maximum impact requires extensive customization to the local programmatic and cultural context to address the audiences efficiently and take advantage of the synergies with other government programs and non-government initiatives. This Learner’s Manual is a part of the suite of reference training materials that also includes a Trainer’s Manual and a Trainer of Trainers’ Manual (see volumes 2 and 3). The suite forms a foundation for policymakers and practitioners in designing and implementing FEPs that are tailored to the local context and, as is appropriate in most cases, could be delivered without the benefit of literacy and numeracy from learners. The audio-visual approach makes the content easier to learn, relate to, and conducive to discussions among adult learners. The Trainers’ Manual is built around the Learner’s Manual and provides guidelines on conducting each training session. Similarly, the Trainer of Trainers’ Manual is developed to guide master trainers during their sessions with the trainers. The core content is structured in 19 sessions, including one on mobile money.
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The recent Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea disrupted the economic activity of all three countries and authorities needed to ensure and/or expand the social support programs.
... See More + In all three countries, the level of financial inclusion is low – 15, 19, and 7 percent, respectively. Usage of financial services is also very low. In response to these challenges, the World Bank Group (WBG) launched the project, Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS), to provide technical assistance to current interventions in the Ebola Emergency Response and future initiatives as the countries recover from the crisis. Under the Financial Capability component of the SNPS, the WBG provided targeted technical assistance to social protection programs in the three countries to develop tailored financial education modules for their target populations and strengthen the capacity of their trainers to effectively deliver financial education. This needs assessment report aims to outline the needs specific to each country in terms of enhancing financial inclusion. The report provides a detailed qualitative analysis and makes recommendations for optimal financial education content and delivery mechanisms for each country, allowing for the development of national-scale financial awareness or sensitization campaigns for consumers.
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The recent Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea disrupted the economic activity of all three countries and authorities needed to ensure and/or expand the social support programs.
... See More + In all three countries, the level of financial inclusion is low – 15, 19, and 7 percent, respectively. Usage of financial services is also very low. In response to these challenges, the World Bank Group (WBG) launched the project, Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS), to provide technical assistance to current interventions in the Ebola Emergency Response and future initiatives as the countries recover from the crisis. Under the Financial Capability component of the SNPS, the WBG provided targeted technical assistance to social protection programs in the three countries to develop tailored financial education modules for their target populations and strengthen the capacity of their trainers to effectively deliver financial education. This needs assessment report aims to outline the needs specific to each country in terms of enhancing financial inclusion. The report provides a detailed qualitative analysis and makes recommendations for optimal financial education content and delivery mechanisms for each country, allowing for the development of national-scale financial awareness or sensitization campaigns for consumers.
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The recent Ebola crisis in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea disrupted the economic activity of all three countries and authorities needed to ensure and/or expand the social support programs.
... See More + In all three countries, the level of financial inclusion is low – 15, 19, and 7 percent, respectively. Usage of financial services is also very low. In response to these challenges, the World Bank Group (WBG) launched the project, Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS), to provide technical assistance to current interventions in the Ebola Emergency Response and future initiatives as the countries recover from the crisis. Under the Financial Capability component of the SNPS, the WBG provided targeted technical assistance to social protection programs in the three countries to develop tailored financial education modules for their target populations and strengthen the capacity of their trainers to effectively deliver financial education. This needs assessment report aims to outline the needs specific to each country in terms of enhancing financial inclusion. The report provides a detailed qualitative analysis and makes recommendations for optimal financial education content and delivery mechanisms for each country, allowing for the development of national-scale financial awareness or sensitization campaigns for consumers.
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This concept note describes a financial education radio program that was designed by the World Bank under the Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS) project and aired in Liberia.
... See More + Financial education delivery over radio was selected as it provides the greatest outreach and potential for sustainability. The financial education radio program is structured in 24 segments, including 6 on mobile money. It was designed in collaboration with the three social cash transfer projects in Liberia (SSN, Rural YOP, Urban YOP) that targeted over 25,000 people in the most vulnerable segments of the population. The radio program has been localized and contextualized for Liberia based on a study of the focus groups selected from the unbanked and underbanked persons among the project beneficiaries. This concept note contains the profile of the targeted population, key parameters of the program, and details the design concept of the entire program and each segment in particular. Full scripts of the audio segments (sketches) are provided in Volume 2.
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This concept note describes a financial education radio program that was designed by the World Bank under the Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS) project and aired in Liberia.
... See More + Financial education delivery over radio was selected as it provides the greatest outreach and potential for sustainability. The financial education radio program is structured in 24 segments, including 6 on mobile money. It was designed in collaboration with the three social cash transfer projects in Liberia (SSN, Rural YOP, Urban YOP) that targeted over 25,000 people in the most vulnerable segments of the population. The radio program has been localized and contextualized for Liberia based on a study of the focus groups selected from the unbanked and underbanked persons among the project beneficiaries. This concept note contains the profile of the targeted population, key parameters of the program, and details the design concept of the entire program and each segment in particular. Full scripts of the audio segments (sketches) are provided in Volume 2.
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This concept note describes a financial education radio program that was designed by the World Bank under the Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS) project and delivered in Sierra Leone.
... See More + Financial education delivery over radio was selected as it provides the greatest outreach and potential for sustainability. The financial education radio program was delivered in 24 segments, including 6 on mobile money. It was designed in collaboration with Productive Social Safety Nets (PSSN) unconditional cash transfer project in Sierra Leone that targeted 12,000 extremely poor households in four districts and focused on maternal and child health and child education. The radio program has been localized and contextualized for Sierra Leone based on a study of the focus group selected from the unbanked and underbanked persons among the PSSN project beneficiaries. This concept note contains the profile of the targeted population, key parameters of the program, and details the design concept of the entire program and each segment in particular. Full scripts of the audio segments (sketches) are provided in Volume 2.
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This concept note describes a financial education radio program that was designed by the World Bank under the Supporting National Payment Systems in Ebola Affected Countries (SNPS) project and aired in Guinea.
... See More + Financial education delivery over radio was selected as it provides the greatest outreach and potential for sustainability. In addition, the Central Bank of Guinea (BCRG) recently developed regulations on mobile money and expressed enthusiastic support for a financial education campaign that would also increase consumer understanding and trust of mobile money services, and interest in using them. The financial education radio program was delivered in 24 segments, including 6 on mobile money. It was designed in collaboration with Social Safety Net (SSN) cash-for-work project in Guinea that targeted 25,000 youth and vulnerable women and focused on providing them with temporary work in sanitation activities. The radio program has been localized and contextualized for Guinea based on a study of the focus group selected from the unbanked and underbanked persons among the SSN project beneficiaries. This concept note contains the profile of the targeted population, key parameters of the program, and details the design concept of the entire program and each segment in particular. Full scripts of the audio segments (sketches) are provided in Volume 2 (French version only).
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This report is based on a study of the costs and savings of retail payments in Albania using a methodology (A Practical Guide for Measuring Retail Payment Costs) developed by the World Bank’s Payment Systems Development Group, part of the Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure, and Access at the Finance, Competitiveness, and Innovation Global Practice.
... See More + By applying this methodology to Albania, the study aims to establish a sound economic baseline for the national retail payments system in terms of costs of different payment instruments to better guide system development and enable high-impact changes. Moreover, the methodology allows for the development of substitution scenarios (from more costly to less costly retail payment instrument) and the resulting cost savings. It is designed based on four main principles: applicability, comparability, efficiency, and standardization and can be adapted to country-specific circumstances without losing its comparative nature, across time and across countries.
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The paper uses a detailed household survey to document precautionary wealth accumulation in Afghanistan, with wealth being significantly higher for households facing higher income uncertainty.
... See More + Annual household expenditure on nondurable goods is also lower for these households. There is no significant difference in the wealth response to income uncertainty across high- and low-conflict provinces. However, the constituents of precautionary wealth vary drastically. While households in the low-conflict regions rely almost exclusively on livestock to iron out uncertainty, households in the high-conflict areas also build up a reserve of gold and silver. This shift in household portfolio suggests a more substantial decline in real returns of livestock relative to jewelry in high-conflict provinces.
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Policy Research Working Paper WPS8453 MAY 23, 2018
In a resilient city, the information and communication technology (ICT) industry is used strategically to guide economic growth, develop competitive industries, and create jobs.
... See More + The local government actively deploys ICT to improve public service delivery and accessibility, participation in decision-making, transparency, and accountability (inclusive). A resilient ICT system continues to operate despite power outage or other disruptions (robust and redundant). The ICT networks and infrastructure is regularly assessed for level of vulnerability and capacity to deal with identified shocks (reflective). During disasters, sufficient funding is available for establishment of emergency communication centers and increased third party communication services (coordinated).
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