Training Course on Fiscal Space Assessment for Sustainable Social Protection

Training Course on Fiscal Space Assessment for Sustainable Social Protection

Introduction 

Achieving universal and adequate social protection, a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), requires substantial and sustainable financial investment. However, many countries, particularly low and middle-income economies, face significant fiscal constraints, making the expansion and strengthening of social protection systems a complex endeavor. Fiscal Space Assessment is a critical analytical tool that systematically identifies and quantifies the potential for governments to raise additional resources and/or reallocate existing expenditures to fund desired public policy objectives, such as comprehensive social protection. Training Course on Fiscal Space Assessment for Sustainable Social Protection will equip senior policymakers, economists, finance ministry officials, social protection program managers, national planners, development partners, and researchers with the expert knowledge and practical methodologies to conduct robust fiscal space assessments and develop actionable financing strategies for sustainable social protection systems. The program focuses on macroeconomic frameworks for fiscal space, detailed analysis of revenue and expenditure options, the political economy of fiscal reforms, debt sustainability, managing fiscal risks, and developing comprehensive financing roadmaps, blending rigorous analytical frameworks with practical, hands-on application, global case studies (with a strong emphasis on African contexts, including Kenya), and intensive fiscal modeling and financing strategy development exercises. Participants will gain the strategic foresight and technical expertise to confidently identify and unlock sustainable financing for expanding social protection, fostering unparalleled financial resilience, equitable coverage, and transformative impact, thereby securing their position as indispensable leaders in securing the financial bedrock of inclusive development.

This comprehensive 10-day program delves into nuanced methodologies for conducting in-depth macroeconomic and fiscal sustainability analyses to understand current fiscal health, mastering sophisticated techniques for evaluating the revenue potential and distributional impact of various tax policy reforms, and exploring cutting-edge approaches to identifying and analyzing expenditure inefficiencies, leveraging digital financial services to enhance revenue collection and payment efficiency, and designing multi-layered financing strategies that combine diverse sources. A significant focus will be placed on understanding the interplay of fiscal space assessment with broader national development plans and public financial management (PFM) reforms, the specific challenges of financing social protection in contexts with large informal economies and high debt burdens (as observed in many African countries, including Kenya), and the practical application of political economy analysis to navigate reform processes and build broad-based consensus among diverse stakeholders.

Course Objectives:

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

1. Analyze core concepts and strategic responsibilities of fiscal space assessment within the context of sustainable social protection financing.
2. Master sophisticated techniques for understanding the macroeconomic context and its implications for fiscal space and social protection.
3. Develop robust methodologies for conducting in-depth analysis of domestic revenue potential through various tax and non-tax measures.
4. Implement effective strategies for identifying and quantifying expenditure inefficiencies and opportunities for re-allocation towards social protection.
5. Manage complex considerations for assessing debt sustainability and the role of borrowing as a legitimate, yet carefully managed, source of fiscal space.
6. Apply robust strategies for understanding the political economy of fiscal reforms and building consensus for social protection financing.
7. Understand the deep integration of international cooperation and development finance in complementing domestic efforts to create fiscal space.
8. Leverage knowledge of global best practices and lessons learned from successful fiscal space assessments and financing reforms in diverse country contexts, particularly in Africa (including Kenya).
9. Optimize strategies for utilizing innovative financing instruments and blended finance approaches to expand fiscal space for social protection.
10. Formulate specialized recommendations for managing fiscal risks and ensuring the long-term sustainability of social protection financing.
11. Conduct comprehensive assessments of existing social protection financing mechanisms for their adequacy, efficiency, and equity.
12. Navigate challenging situations such as economic volatility, high informality, political resistance, and capacity constraints in conducting fiscal space assessments.
13. Develop a holistic, evidence-based, and politically astute approach to Fiscal Space Assessment for Sustainable Social Protection, ensuring robust and equitable financing.

Target Audience:

This course is designed for professionals interested in Fiscal Space Assessment for Sustainable Social Protection:

1. Senior Officials from Ministries of Finance, Planning, and Social Affairs: Responsible for national budget formulation, resource allocation, and social sector planning.
2. Economists and Fiscal Policy Analysts: Working in government, central banks, and research institutions.
3. Social Protection Program Managers: Overseeing large-scale social assistance or social security schemes.
4. Public Financial Management (PFM) Experts: Focused on improving efficiency and transparency in public spending.
5. Development Partners & International Financial Institutions (IFIs): Supporting social protection financing reforms and technical assistance.
6. Actuaries and Social Security Specialists: Involved in financial sustainability assessments of social insurance schemes.
7. Researchers & Academics: Specializing in public finance, social policy, and development economics.
8. Civil Society Organization (CSO) Leaders: Advocating for increased and more equitable social protection financing and fiscal transparency.

Course Duration: 5 Days

Course Modules:

• Module 1: Introduction to Fiscal Space and Social Protection Financing
• Defining fiscal space in the context of social protection.
• Rationale for expanding social protection and its financing implications.
• Overview of the four main pathways to create fiscal space.
• Distinction between fiscal space and simply "costing" a program.
• The dynamic and evolving nature of fiscal space.
• Module 2: Macroeconomic Framework for Fiscal Space Assessment
• Understanding key macroeconomic indicators and their impact on fiscal space.
• Analyzing GDP growth, inflation, interest rates, and exchange rates.
• Relationship between fiscal space and overall macroeconomic stability.
• Developing a baseline macroeconomic scenario for projections.
• The role of fiscal rules and targets in constraining/enabling fiscal space.
• Module 3: Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) - Tax Reforms
• Progressive taxation: income tax, corporate tax, wealth tax.
• Indirect taxation: VAT, excise taxes (including "sin" taxes).
• Broadening the tax base and improving tax compliance.
• Analyzing the distributional impact of different tax reforms.
• Case studies of successful tax reforms for social protection (e.g., in Kenya).
• Module 4: Domestic Revenue Mobilization (DRM) - Non-Tax & Other Sources
• Expanding social security contributions, especially for the informal sector.
• Revenues from natural resources (e.g., oil, minerals).
• Eliminating illicit financial flows (IFFs) and their impact on fiscal space.
• Utilizing fiscal and foreign exchange reserves strategically.
• Exploring levies, dedicated funds, and innovative local taxes.
• Module 5: Expenditure Re-allocation and Efficiency Gains
• Identifying inefficient, inequitable, or unproductive public expenditures.
• Conducting public expenditure reviews (PERs) and functional reviews.
• Analyzing potential re-allocations from subsidies, defense, or other sectors.
• Improving the efficiency of social protection program delivery (e.g., digital payments).
• Measuring and quantifying efficiency gains for fiscal space creation.
• Module 6: Debt Sustainability and Prudent Borrowing
• Understanding the concepts of public debt and debt sustainability analysis (DSA).
• The role of domestic and external borrowing as a source of fiscal space.
• Assessing the risks and benefits of increased borrowing for social protection.
• Debt restructuring, relief, and their potential to free up fiscal space.
• Developing a responsible borrowing strategy for long-term sustainability.
• Module 7: The Political Economy of Fiscal Space Creation
• Mapping key stakeholders and their interests in fiscal reforms.
• Building political will and broad-based consensus for social protection financing.
• Strategies for effective communication and public engagement on reforms.
• Overcoming resistance from powerful interest groups.
• Negotiating trade-offs and ensuring equity in fiscal adjustments.
• Module 8: International Cooperation and Development Finance
• Role of Official Development Assistance (ODA) in social protection financing.
• Engaging with multilateral development banks (MDBs) and IFIs (e.g., World Bank, IMF).
• Debt relief initiatives and their contribution to fiscal space.
• South-South cooperation and peer learning in financing strategies.
• Aligning external support with national social protection priorities.

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.