Digital innovations in delivering social protection in rural areas: Lessons for public provision during the post-pandemic recovery and beyond

Abstract

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ability of digital technologies to lower administrative costs, improve data accuracy, quality and transparency and facilitate monitoring became apparent. However, these technologies may also exacerbate exclusion, especially in rural areas where large segments of the population lack access to ICT infrastructure and internet connectivity, and face high costs of technology, low levels of (digital) literacy, weak regulatory frameworks and limited access to services. This One Pager presents key findings of a study by FAO and the IPC-IG, which examined the experiences of Argentina, Cambodia, Jordan, Morocco, the Philippines, Togo, and Uganda.