By Tomy Ncube 1,2 and Una Murray1,2
1 School of Geography, Archaeology and Irish Studies, University of Galway, Ireland
2 Centre for International Development Innovation (CIDI), Ryan Institute
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In an era where government funded social safety nets often fall short, communities around the world continue to depend on long-standing traditions of mutual support and solidarity. From livestock sharing in African farming communities to informal childcare arrangements in Europe and Asia. These traditional support systems – known as informal social protection (ISPs), continue to serve as essential lifelines for millions.
Promoting integration between informal and formal social protections systems: Why this matters now
As governments grapple with budget constraints and rising inequality, there’s an urgent need to rethink how we deliver social safety nets or more broadly social protection. The COVID-19 pandemic, and increasing climate-related disasters have exposed glaring gaps in formal welfare systems, particularly in reaching the most vulnerable populations.
The UN Sustainable Development Goal 1.3 aims to implement social protection floors for all. Our research contributes to and offers practical guidance for policymakers striving to develop more inclusive and effective social protection programs; development organisations working to better engage with local communities; community leaders balancing the preservation of traditional support systems with the adoption of beneficial innovations; and researchers exploring the complex dynamics between formal and informal welfare systems
The hidden strength of informal systems
Our research reveals that informal social protection systems offer unique advantages that formal programs often lack:
- Deep community roots: Built on generations of trust and cultural understanding
- Rapid response: Provide immediate help when crises strike
- Social cohesion: Strengthen community bonds through reciprocity and mutual aid
- Flexibility: Adapt quickly to local needs and circumstances
However, they also present numerous challenges, including limited coverage and clientelism which may marginalize less influential groups (including within poorer communities).
The integration challenge
While many governments and organisations recognise the value of these informal systems, attempts to integrate them with formal programs often fail. Why? Our study identified several pressures that undermine successful integration – such as technocratic approaches that dismiss local knowledge; standardisation which erodes community ownership; political agendas that dismiss traditional support mechanisms; and economic pressures that commercialise mutual support systems.
A new approach: design thinking meets community development
We propose an innovative framework that combines design thinking principles with community development approaches to bridge formal and informal systems. This framework emphasises empathy, collaboration and a focus on social justice. This implies that when attempting to formalise informal systems, or embrace the essence of informal systems, it is necessary to:
- Understand community needs and existing support mechanisms before proposing changes.
- Treat communities as active partners rather than passive recipients.
- Ensure reforms enhance rather than diminish social justice, equity and accessibility.
Some examples of formalising systems that have not yet lost the essence of the informal system can be found in many parts of the world. For example, in Uganda, government initiatives that reinforced existing family-based support networks showed better outcomes than those that tried to replace them. The same trends were reported in Nigeria and Pakistan. Studies in Germany revealed that formal childcare expansion didn’t diminish informal care networks instead, both systems complemented each other.
Our research identifies three critical factors for government and private actors engaging with informal social protection:
- Lead with empathy: Ensure interventions build on community resources and knowledge
- Embrace partnership: Move beyond consultation to genuine collaboration
- Keep the focus on social justice: Prioritize community well-being in all reforms and ensure it remains central to any new system.
As countries face mounting social challenges with limited resources, learning from and building upon existing informal support systems becomes increasingly important. By applying design thinking principles grounded in community development, we can create more inclusive, effective, and sustainable social protection systems that leave no one behind. Indeed, the future of social protection lies not in choosing between formal and informal systems, but in thoughtfully combining their strengths. In this research we present a practical roadmap for policymakers, development practitioners, and community leaders to navigate this integration. Our framework promises respectful and an effective integration process that preserves what works while embracing necessary innovations for the future.
Call to Action
As the global conversation on social protection evolves, we urge policymakers, development organizations, and practitioners to rethink how they engage with communities. Instead of imposing top-down solutions, let’s embrace collaborative approaches that respect and enhance existing informal protection systems. How can we ensure that formal policies truly serve the needs of the people they aim to support? Join the conversation and share your insights, case studies, and innovative ideas in the comments or reach out to explore partnerships in co-designing solutions that work for all.
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Image credit: Vonecia Carswell via Unsplash.