Every month we highlight a book from one of our members. If you have a book you’d like us to highlight or a book review you’d like to publish from one of our members then get in touch.

December’s book is Cash Transfers for Poverty Reduction: An International Operational Guide by Francisco V. Ayala and David Lawson – published on 18^th December 2023 by Routledge.

Over the past 20 years, more than 100 countries have implemented social safety nets, targeted at the poorest and most vulnerable. Impact evaluations have shown the effectiveness of these programmes, and policymakers have explored different methods of delivery, including cash transfers.

Cash Transfers for Poverty Reduction offers the first systematic discussion of the design and implementation of poverty reduction schemes, and cash transfer programmes in particular. The authors also draw on their own practical experience and present global case studies to show the effects that these decisions have on operations and outcomes.

Featuring end-of-chapter questions and answers to help test your knowledge, this book offers an operational guide for key stakeholders, officials and students in understanding the design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of cash transfer programmes. The book can also be used as a reference book for officials and consultants requiring clarification about specific processes.

Francisco V. Ayala is President of Ayala Consulting Corporation/SOPROEN (since 1996) and has more than 25 years of experience as an international social protection consultant.

David Lawson is Associate Professor, Development Economics and Public Policy at the University of Manchester’s Global Development Institute, a member of the DSA. He is also Adjunct Professor at the University of Helsinki, and Visiting Professor at the University of International Business and Economics, Beijing.

“This excellent book contributes on the basics of the design, implementation and monitoring and evaluation of cash transfer programs in developing countries. One of its great strengths is the use of country examples and experiences to illustrate key concepts and lessons learned.” Cem Mete, PhD, Practice Manager, the World Bank.

“It is a valuable contribution to learning how to design and implement social protection interventions. It provides information which is essential to enhance the human capital of the most vulnerable people in the world.” Eulalia Flor Recalde, professor at the Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, Ecuador.

Having more and better trained social protection engineers will help countries deliver more efficient social protection programmes. This will also create environments which can be more adaptable to crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. It will also help donors to have a better understanding of social protection needs.

Physical book or e-book is available from the Routledge website and is currently on offer. You can also preview the book.