This report, published by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and UNICEF, is the third in a series of regional thematic reports produced for a study on social protection and children in West Central Africa. It focuses specifically on one kind of social protection mechanism – social assistance in the form of cash transfers – and explores how this can contribute to addressing specific risks and vulnerabilities faced by children in the region. There are still very few cash transfer programs in West Central Africa: those that exist are recent and often small-scale pilot schemes. Interest in this type of social protection is growing among policymakers in the region, however, partly as a result of positive experiences in other parts of Africa and elsewhere in the developing world.

The role of cash transfers is explored in relation to the following areas:

• Increase in monetary income
• Human capital development
• Enhanced household productivity and multiplier effects
• Reduction in child rights violations
• Reduction in inequality
• Strengthened evidence for support and sustainability

The report also highlights the specific regional challenges of implementing cash transfers to address childhood poverty.

The Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces a Request for Proposals from organizations interested in submitting proposals for projects that promote democracy, human rights and the rule of law for countries in Africa (Sudan, Nigeria, Chad and Zimbabwe), Europe (Belarus), the Near East (Saudi Arabia and Syria), South and Central Asia (Nepal and Sri Lanka), and the Western Hemisphere (Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Venezuela).

Solicitations relating specifically to youth and children:

• Sudan (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks proposals that promote human rights in Sudan, especially of women and children. Applicants must demonstrate current experience implementing programming in Sudan.
• Syria (approximately $1,000,000 available): DRL seeks civil society proposals that will develop Syrian youths’ understanding of civic responsibilities, democratic institutions, and the rule of law.
• Sri Lanka (approximately $500,000 available): DRL seeks labor proposals that combat child soldiering.

Promoting and Protecting the Interests of Children who Work (PPIC-Work) seeks to improve the working conditions and learning opportunities for economically active children and youth (from 6 to 18 years of age) who work in the growing micro- and small enterprise sector in Egypt. The project works with and through locally owned microfinance institutions (MFIs) to pilot and test financial and non-financial services to businesses employing underage workers. Through the loan process, the project supports microfinance institutions in upgrading technology and improving learning opportunities and safety conditions for at-risk and underage workers in the workplace.

The intervention tools have been developed through a child rights-based approach with a strong emphasis on the participation of working children in the design and implementation of the project. Gender equality has also been a strong focus in developing programming with working children and with MFI staff. The application of these intervention tools are consistent with microfinance best practice principles and can therefore be integrated into the on-going, self-financing programming of MFIs, allowing large numbers of children to be reached over time.

Programming is implemented through a series of linked interventions:

Improving working conditions:

• Dual purpose loans that improve business performance and children’s work
• A code of conduct developed with both business owners and working children
• Capacity building of MFIs and loan officers in techniques to identify, analyze and mitigate workplace hazards

Improving learning opportunities:

• Education support programs to help working children perform in school and build self esteem and confidence
• Computer based learning that teaches business principles and business ethics
• Learning through work that strengthens the learning process within workplaces in collaboration with business owners

Key Processes:

• Children’s rights
• Gender equality
• Children’s participation

Surveys with working girls and boys are showing that improvements in their lives and work occur when

• business owners are aware of problems and are ready and able to make changes, and
• children themselves become aware of their rights and are able to negotiate changes with business owners.

Richard Carothers, Project Director
richardcarothers@rogers.com

Jennifer Denomy, Project Manager
jdenomy@meda.org

2002 to 2009