Governance and Social Development Resource Centre

Decentralization: A Window of Opportunity for Successful Adaptation to Climate Change?

Author: Maria Brockhaus and Hermann Kambiré (2009)
Size: 18 pages (2.2 MB)

This chapter examines the opportunities and barriers for successful adaptation to climate change in decentralisation processes. Using a study of two municipalities in Burkina Faso, it stresses the importance of knowledge and institutional flexibility in overcoming resource dependency. The varying degrees of space generated by the decentralisation process in the two municipalities demonstrates the importance of individual understanding and decision-making in determining successful adaptation.

Cash Transfers: Lessons from Africa and Latin America

Author: Degol Hilou and Fábio Veras Soares (eds.) (2008)
Size: 32 pages (633 kB)

What are the challenges facing conditional cash transfer (CCT) programmes in Latin America and social cash transfer (SCT) programmes in Africa? How can CCT and SCT advocates address the issue of expanding social assistance programmes in the face of government fiscal restraints? This issue of 'Poverty in Focus' notes that there is evidence of CCTs having had positive impacts on education, health and nutrition and no major negative impacts on labour supply. Large-scale programmes have had impressive results in reducing inequality. The future of CCTs and SCTs will depend on their institutionalisation and on convincing the public and governments that cash transfers are not handouts, but necessary social investments.