Impact evaluation of WBI sector & thematic programs in FY02-03 : social protection and risk management learning

WBI's Social Protection Program supports the World Bank's mission to provide security, reduce vulnerability, and eradicate extreme poverty through knowledge and learning products for Bank staff and their counterparts in client countries. As part of a larger IEG evaluation initiative, this evaluation examines the extent to which the FY02-03 Social Protection Program (SP) was effective and useful for participants in 12 countries. The evaluation examines the outcomes and impact of the SP program at the individual, institutional, and country levels, and forms some recommendations that can be used to improve WBI programs. Specifically, this evaluation addresses the following questions: 1) How effective are activities offered by the Social Protection program? 2) What is the impact of the Social Protection program? 3) What activity features and participant characteristics of the Social Protection program influence the program's effectiveness and impact? Overall, the evaluation indicates that the SP programs' FY02-03 activities had positive impact in the short term - when assessed eight months to two years after the activity. This report recommends that in the future, SP strives to enhance its activities for participants from low-income countries and for those in government positions. The analyses show that a continued emphasis on a country-focus agenda and action-oriented pedagogical techniques will make SP program even more effective and have greater impact.