Economic Policy Research Institute

Designing & Implementing Social Transfer Programmes

A course for policymakers, government officials and practitioners around the world

23 October - 5 November 2011 ~ Chiang Mai, Thailand

About the course

Around the world, developing countries are increasingly recognising the value of social transfer programmes in reducing extreme poverty, with success stories in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The Economic Policy Research Institute (EPRI) and the HelpAge East Asia Pacific Regional Development Centre (EAPRDC), together with the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, are offering a two-week course aimed at providing participants with an in-depth understanding of the conceptual and practical issues involved in the development of social transfer programmes. Participants will acquire tools required for the appropriate identification and successful design and implementation of these programmes.

Who is it for?

The course aims to build the capacity of government policymakers and officials, representatives from bilateral and multilateral agencies, programme practitioners and staff members from non-governmental organisations. The course will serve those who want to more effectively design, implement and manage social transfer programmes with the goal of reducing poverty and better achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

How participants will benefit

At the end of the course, the successful participant will better understand the comprehensive approach to social protection and how appropriate cash transfer instruments can reduce poverty and vulnerability and promote developmental outcomes. The course will reinforce the skills required to identify, design and implement effective social transfer programmes. A team of international experts, skilled professionals and leaders in the field will teach the course. The certificated course will be jointly accredited by the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance and HelpAge EAPRDC.

What the course will cover

The course includes a coordinated series of theme-oriented sessions, practical skills-building workshops, field trips to visit social transfer sites and relevant technical skills training. The course will be taught using formal lectures, practical case studies and hands-on exercises. Topics will include:

The role of cash transfers in reducing poverty, vulnerability and social exclusion

The identification of appropriate social transfer instruments for specific country contexts

The design of cash transfer programmes

Implementation issues, including registration, targeting, payment and information systems

Monitoring and evaluation approaches for social transfer programmes

Case studies of successful programmes around the world

Field trips to see Thailand's social transfer system in action


Fees and other costs The tuition fee for the two-week course is €2,880. The tuition fee also includes travel on scheduled visit and optional hands on computer-based skill workshops. The comprehensive accommodation and facilities fee package is €1,730, which includes four-star accommodation, three meals per day and teas, per diems, recreational activities and tours, airport transfers and use of included facilities. The fees do not include international travel to and from Chiang Mai International Airport. How to apply Please fill in the application form and click on the 'submit' button. Admission is on a rolling basis. Space is limited. Application form Personal details First name Family name/surname: Title (Prof, Dr, Mr, Mrs, Ms, etc.): Telephone number: Fax number: Mobile number: Email address: Current position: Title of post: Employer: Address: Brief description of your main role and responsibilities:		Partners EPRI and HelpAge EAPRDC are offering this course together with the the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance, in partnership with the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in Sussex. About EPRI The Economic Policy Research Institute is a South African-based non-governmental organisation with extensive experience in social protection research, policy advisory work and capacity-building. EPRI has designed and taught tailor-made courses and programmes to meet the specific needs of national parliaments, government departments and civil society organisations. About HelpAge EAPRDC The HelpAge East Asia Pacific Regional Development Centre strives to advance the rights of disadvantaged older people in a context of rapidly ageing societies. About the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance The Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG) prepares students to pave the road for innovative policy developments in Europe and the world today. The School offers PhD and Masters programmes as well as short training modules, and works in close collaboration with highly respected overseas institutions.