Draft:Cash+ program

Submission declined on 25 June 2025 by Theroadislong (talk).

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Declined by Theroadislong 5 days ago. Last edited by Curb Safe Charmer 5 days ago. Reviewer: Inform author.

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A cash+ program is a social protection intervention that combines cash transfers with additional forms of support, such as training, coaching, healthcare, or access to public services. The "plus" component is intended to complement financial assistance by addressing other barriers to well-being, with the aim of achieving more sustainable and long-term improvements in livelihoods and resilience.

Background

Cash+ programs emerged from the broader field of social protection and poverty alleviation. While unconditional or conditional cash transfers have proven effective in reducing poverty in the short term, evidence suggests that combining them with complementary services can generate more lasting impacts, particularly in areas such as health, education, entrepreneurship, and gender equality.

Studies conducted in regions such as Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Latin America have found that integrating so-called "plus components"—including financial literacy training, psychosocial support, and business development coaching—can promote behavioral change and facilitate structural improvements in household welfare.^[1]^[2]

Examples

100Weeks is a Dutch-founded initiative that operates in countries including Rwanda, Ghana, Côte d'Ivoire, and Uganda. The program provides weekly, unconditional cash transfers to women over a period of 100 weeks. This is combined with financial training and individual coaching. The aim is to support participants in developing sustainable income-generating strategies and improving their long-term economic resilience.^[3] UNICEF has implemented Cash+ models in countries such as Tanzania, Malawi, and Niger. These programs combine cash transfers with services like nutrition education, youth services, and access to healthcare. They are often targeted at adolescents and young mothers. Evaluations have reported positive outcomes in areas such as health, nutrition, and individual agency.^[4]

BRAC Graduation Approach, developed by BRAC, is frequently cited as a form of Cash+ programming. It involves a sequence of interventions—including a productive asset transfer, skills training, coaching, and access to savings mechanisms—targeted at households living in extreme poverty. This model has been implemented and evaluated in over 20 countries, often with support from institutions such as CGAP and the World Bank.^[5]

Criticism and Debate

Despite evidence of positive outcomes, Cash+ programs have generated debate regarding cost-effectiveness and scalability. Critics argue that adding complementary services increases operational complexity and implementation costs, which may limit feasibility at scale.^[6] However, proponents suggest that the long-term benefits—including improved health, education, and income security—can outweigh the higher upfront investments, resulting in more sustainable development impacts over time.^[7]

References

^ UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti (2020), Integrated Social Protection: A Conceptual Framework for Cash Plus Programmes.
^ Roelen, K.; Devereux, S.; Abdulai, A.-G.; Martorano, B.; Palermo, T.; Ragno, L. P. (2017). "How to Make 'Cash Plus' Work: Linking Cash Transfers to Services and Sectors" (PDF). UNICEF.
^ 100Weeks (2023), Impact Report: Empowering Women Through Cash and Coaching.
^ UNICEF Tanzania (2019), Cash Plus Evaluation Summary Report.
^ CGAP (2020), Graduation Programs and Financial Inclusion.
^ Bastagli, F. et al. (2016), Cash Transfers: What Does the Evidence Say? Overseas Development Institute.
^ Banerjee, A., Duflo, E., Goldberg, N., Karlan, D., et al. (2015). "A multifaceted program causes lasting progress for the very poor: Evidence from six countries." Science.

[1] UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti (2020), Integrated Social Protection: A Conceptual Framework for Cash Plus Programmes.

[2] Roelen, K.; Devereux, S.; Abdulai, A.-G.; Martorano, B.; Palermo, T.; Ragno, L. P. (2017). "How to Make 'Cash Plus' Work: Linking Cash Transfers to Services and Sectors" (PDF). UNICEF.

[3] 100Weeks (2023), Impact Report: Empowering Women Through Cash and Coaching.

[4] UNICEF Tanzania (2019), Cash Plus Evaluation Summary Report.

[5] CGAP (2020), Graduation Programs and Financial Inclusion.

[6] Bastagli, F. et al. (2016), Cash Transfers: What Does the Evidence Say? Overseas Development Institute.

[7] Banerjee, A., Duflo, E., Goldberg, N., Karlan, D., et al. (2015). "A multifaceted program causes lasting progress for the very poor: Evidence from six countries." Science.

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