Social Transfers in the Fight against Hunger

As part of renewed efforts to better tackle food insecurity in partner countries, DEVCO C1 has finalised a participatory process with colleagues from Delegations and HQ and Member States (in particular Germany, France and UK) to develop a Reference Document on “Social Transfers in the Fight against Hunger”. It is an easy-to-use guide, based on case studies of programmes funded by the European Union (Member States and Commission).

Social transfers are defined as publicly funded, direct, regular and predictable resource transfers (usually in the form of food, agricultural inputs or cash) to poor or vulnerable individuals or households, aimed at reducing their deficits in food consumption, protecting them from shocks (including economic and climatic), and, in some cases, strengthening their productive capacity.

Social transfers within well-designed programmes have the potential to significantly improve the livelihoods of individuals.  For example, cash for work programmes can improve the conditions for agricultural production (e.g through terracing, irrigation, rural roads), while enabling beneficiaries to meet their essential needs during lean periods.  Cash transfers (conditional or unconditional) can improve attendance at school and can support access to health services.