How Does Social Protection Impact Social Cohesion in the Sahel? A Review of Existing Evidence and Gaps

Investment Rating - The report does not explicitly provide an investment rating for the industry. Core Insights - Social protection programs in the Sahel have been shown to improve various outcomes for beneficiaries, including consumption, productivity, resilience to climate change, and health and education for future generations. These programs also positively impact local economies and can strengthen social cohesion by addressing poverty and vulnerability [2][10][36]. Summary by Sections Part 1: Conceptual Framework - Social cohesion is defined as the relationships among members of society and the state, characterized by trust, inclusive identity, and cooperation for the common good [11][12]. - Social protection can affect social cohesion through various pathways, including direct program activities and indirect outcomes such as reduced poverty [16]. Part 2: Current Evidence on Social Protection's Impact on Social Cohesion - Horizontal Social Cohesion – Within Groups - Safety nets in Mauritania improved trust and cooperation among community members [21]. - Economic inclusion interventions in Niger and Burkina Faso increased trust and cooperation for the common good among program participants [22]. - Beneficiaries in Mali increased resource-sharing with non-beneficiaries, indicating cooperation for a larger good [23]. - Horizontal Social Cohesion – Between Groups - Limited evidence exists on the impacts of social protection on social cohesion between displaced communities and host communities [29]. - Vertical Social Cohesion – Between Citizens and State - Perceptions of fairness in selection processes vary significantly, influencing trust in the implementing agency [31]. - In Niger, a majority of non-selected individuals exhibited vertical trust regarding the beneficiary identification process [31]. Conclusions and Next Steps - Social protection has demonstrated positive impacts on social cohesion in the Sahel, but negative dynamics can also occur. The evidence base has gaps, particularly regarding the experiences of non-beneficiaries and the impacts on social cohesion between different communities [36][37]. - Future research will focus on understanding the mechanisms through which social protection impacts social cohesion and identifying design features that can enhance these impacts [38].