Training course on Social Protection for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Training Course on Social Protection for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Introduction 

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), presents a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure peace and prosperity for all. At the core of this ambitious agenda lies a fundamental recognition: social protection is not merely a safety net, but a powerful accelerator and enabler for achieving virtually all the SDGs. From eradicating extreme poverty (SDG 1) and ending hunger (SDG 2) to promoting good health (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), gender equality (SDG 5), decent work (SDG 8), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10), social protection programs offer a unique, cross-cutting pathway to sustainable and inclusive development. Training Course on Social Protection for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is meticulously designed to equip policymakers, national planners, social protection program managers, SDG focal points, development practitioners, civil society representatives, and researchers with the expert knowledge and practical methodologies to strategically align social protection policies and programs with the Sustainable Development Goals, and to monitor their contribution to SDG achievement. The program focuses on the conceptual framework of social protection and the SDGs, specific linkages between social protection typologies and individual SDGs, integrated policy design, financing for SDG-aligned social protection, and monitoring and reporting on SDG contributions, blending rigorous analytical frameworks with practical, hands-on application, global case studies (including those from Kenya), and interactive policy mapping exercises. Participants will gain the strategic foresight and technical expertise to confidently lead the integration of social protection into national SDG implementation strategies, fostering unparalleled impact, coherence, and progress towards a truly sustainable and equitable future, thereby securing their position as indispensable leaders in localizing and achieving the 2030 Agenda.

This comprehensive 5-day program delves into nuanced methodologies for conducting SDG-specific needs assessments to identify how social protection can best contribute to particular targets, mastering sophisticated techniques for mapping existing social protection programs against various SDG indicators to identify gaps and opportunities for strengthening synergies, and exploring cutting-edge approaches to designing multi-sectoral social protection interventions that simultaneously address multiple SDG objectives, leveraging data for evidence-based SDG reporting, and developing national roadmaps for universal social protection floors as a foundation for SDG achievement. A significant focus will be placed on understanding the interplay of social protection with climate change adaptation (SDG 13), peace and justice (SDG 16), and partnerships for the Goals (SDG 17), the specific challenges of financing comprehensive SDG-aligned social protection in low-income contexts (with examples from Kenya), and the practical application of equity principles to ensure that social protection leaves no one behind.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

1. Analyze core concepts and strategic responsibilities of social protection as an enabler and accelerator for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
2. Master sophisticated techniques for identifying and articulating specific linkages between various social protection typologies and individual SDG targets (e.g., 1.3, 2.1, 3.8, 4.1, 5.4, 8.5, 10.4).
3. Develop robust methodologies for mapping existing national social protection programs against SDG indicators to assess coverage and impact.
4. Implement effective strategies for designing integrated social protection interventions that simultaneously contribute to multiple SDG outcomes (e.g., poverty, hunger, health, education).
5. Manage complex considerations for financing universal social protection floors as a foundational element for SDG achievement.
6. Apply robust strategies for mainstreaming gender, equity, and human rights principles within SDG-aligned social protection policies.
7. Understand the deep integration of social protection with climate change adaptation (SDG 13) and disaster risk reduction.
8. Leverage knowledge of global best practices and lessons learned from countries that have successfully linked social protection to their SDG strategies.
9. Optimize strategies for strengthening coordination and coherence between social protection and other sectoral policies for SDG impact.
10. Formulate specialized recommendations for monitoring and reporting on social protection's contribution to SDG progress at national and sub-national levels.
11. Conduct comprehensive assessments of policy and institutional gaps hindering the full realization of social protection's SDG potential.
12. Navigate challenging situations such as data fragmentation, resource constraints, and political will in localizing SDGs through social protection.
13. Develop a holistic, strategic, and actionable framework for leveraging social protection to accelerate progress across the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, ensuring no one is left behind.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals interested in Social Protection for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): 

1. Policymakers & National Planners: From ministries of planning, finance, social affairs, and those responsible for SDG implementation.
2. Social Protection Program Managers: Responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating social safety nets.
3. SDG Focal Points & Coordinators: Within government, UN agencies, and civil society organizations.
4. Development Partners & UN Agency Staff: Supporting countries in SDG localization and social protection system building.
5. Researchers & Academics: Studying the interlinkages between social protection and various development outcomes.
6. Budget Officials: Involved in aligning national budgets with SDG targets and social protection investments.
7. Civil Society Organizations: Advocating for inclusive development and monitoring SDG progress.
8. Sectoral Specialists: From health, education, nutrition, agriculture, and labor, seeking to integrate their work with social protection for broader impact.

Course Duration: 5 Days

Course Modules:

• Module 1: Social Protection and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
• Introduction to the SDGs: Goals, targets, and the principle of "leaving no one behind."
• Defining Social Protection: Core functions, typologies, and its evolution.
• Social Protection as an SDG Enabler: Conceptual framework and cross-cutting role.
• The Universal Social Protection Floor (SPF): As a foundation for SDG achievement.
• Global Commitments: ILO Recommendation 202 and its relevance to the SDGs.
• Module 2: Social Protection's Direct Contribution to SDG 1 (No Poverty)
• Target 1.3: Social Protection Systems for All: Importance of coverage and adequacy.
• Poverty Reduction through Cash Transfers: Evidence and impact on extreme and multidimensional poverty.
• Building Resilience to Shocks (Target 1.5): How social protection prevents people from falling into poverty.
• Financial Inclusion and Productive Assets: Links to microfinance and asset-building programs.
• Case Studies: National examples of social protection programs driving SDG 1 progress (e.g., Kenya's cash transfer programs).
• Module 3: Social Protection's Impact on Human Development SDGs (SDG 2, 3, 4, 5)
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger): Linkages with food security, nutrition outcomes, and agricultural productivity.
• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being): Access to healthcare, maternal and child health, disease prevention.
• SDG 4 (Quality Education): School enrollment, retention, and learning outcomes through conditionalities and reduced opportunity costs.
• SDG 5 (Gender Equality): Women's economic empowerment, reduced gender-based violence, access to services.
• Integrated Approaches: Designing programs that address multiple human development outcomes concurrently.
• Module 4: Social Protection for Economic Inclusion and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 8, 10)
• SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth): Labor market interventions, public works, and entrepreneurship support.
• SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities): Redistributive effects of social protection, reaching marginalized groups.
• Addressing Horizontal and Vertical Inequalities: Geographic, gender, disability, and income-based disparities.
• Promoting Financial Inclusion (Target 8.10): Digital payments and financial literacy for beneficiaries.
• Leaving No One Behind: Ensuring social protection reaches the most vulnerable and excluded populations.
• Module 5: Social Protection and Transformative SDGs (SDG 13, 16, 17)
• SDG 13 (Climate Action): Adaptive social protection for climate resilience and disaster response.
• SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions): Social cohesion, grievance redress mechanisms, and transparent governance.
• SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals): Multi-stakeholder collaboration for social protection and SDG financing.
• Human Rights-Based Approach: Ensuring social protection as a right, fostering participation and accountability.
• Fostering Local Ownership: Sub-national actors' role in localizing SDGs through social protection in Kenya.
• Module 6: Policy Coherence and Integration for SDG-Aligned Social Protection
• Mapping National Social Protection Landscape: Identifying programs and their SDG linkages.
• Conducting Policy Coherence Reviews: Ensuring alignment across sectors and government levels.
• Multi-Sectoral Planning: Bringing together different ministries for integrated social protection.
• Vertical and Horizontal Coordination: Between national, county, and local levels of government.
• Harmonizing Social Protection and Development Planning: Embedding social protection in national development frameworks.
• Module 7: Financing and Institutionalizing SDG-Aligned Social Protection
• Costing SDG-Aligned Social Protection: Estimating the resources required for expanded coverage and adequacy.
• Fiscal Space Analysis for Social Protection: Identifying sustainable financing options (e.g., domestic revenue, international cooperation).
• Budgeting for SDGs: Integrating social protection spending into national and sub-national budgets.
• Institutional Capacity Building: Strengthening social protection agencies for SDG implementation.
• Advocacy for Sustainable Financing: Communicating the returns on investment for social protection.
• Module 8: Monitoring, Reporting, and Learning for Social Protection and the SDGs
• SDG Indicators for Social Protection: Understanding global and national indicators (e.g., 1.3.1).
• Data Collection for SDG Reporting: Leveraging administrative data, surveys, and qualitative data.
• Developing National SDG Monitoring Frameworks: Integrating social protection data flows.
• Evidence-Based Reporting and Communication: Presenting social protection's contribution to SDG progress.
• Adaptive Learning and Policy Adjustments: Using monitoring data to refine strategies and accelerate SDG achievement (with specific examples from Kenya's SDG localization efforts).

 

Training Methodology

• Interactive Workshops: Facilitated discussions, group exercises, and problem-solving activities.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples to illustrate successful community-based surveillance practices.
• Role-Playing and Simulations: Practice engaging communities in surveillance activities.
• Expert Presentations: Insights from experienced public health professionals and community leaders.
• Group Projects: Collaborative development of community surveillance plans.
• Action Planning: Development of personalized action plans for implementing community-based surveillance.
• Digital Tools and Resources: Utilization of online platforms for collaboration and learning.
• Peer-to-Peer Learning: Sharing experiences and insights on community engagement.
• Post-Training Support: Access to online forums, mentorship, and continued learning resources.

 

Register as a group from 3 participants for a Discount

Send us an email: info@datastatresearch.org or call +254724527104

Certification

Upon successful completion of this training, participants will be issued with a globally recognized certificate.

Tailor-Made Course

We also offer tailor-made courses based on your needs.

Key Notes

• Participants must be conversant in English.
• Upon completion of training, participants will receive an Authorized Training Certificate.
• The course duration is flexible and can be modified to fit any number of days.
• Course fee includes facilitation, training materials, 2 coffee breaks, buffet lunch, and a Certificate upon successful completion.
• One-year post-training support, consultation, and coaching provided after the course.
• Payment should be made at least a week before the training commencement to DATASTAT CONSULTANCY LTD account, as indicated in the invoice, to enable better preparation.