Highlights of I2L Webinar: “Delivering social assistance during the pandemic: Lessons from Indonesia”

• by MSC
• Oct 22, 2020
• 5 min

The Government of Indonesia expanded the existing social security net for the poor to support the most vulnerable segments of society during the COVID-19 pandemic. MSC, in collaboration with Bappenas, Indonesia’s think tank, held an I2L webinar to discuss social assistance delivery in Indonesia with the country’s policymakers and representatives from international organizations.

*0:00 – 2:49 – MC – Welcome Note

*2:49 –  4:37 – Republic of Indonesia’s National Anthem

*4:37 – 6:01 – MC – Introduction of the Expert Staff for Technology and Social Welfare, Ministry of Social Affairs, Republic of Indonesia

*6:01 – 17:57 – Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Delivering the keynote speech on behalf of the Ministry of Social Affairs, Republic of Indonesia

*17:57 – 20:24 – MC – Group photo, instruction for the webinar, and introduction of the moderator

*20:24 – 24:30 – Graham Wright – Introduction of the speakers and the topic 1: Indonesia’s experience in expanding social assistance program to the impacted population groups during the pandemic: key challenges, solutions and risk mitigation strategies adopted

*24:30 – 25:24 – Question 1 for Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Since the onset of COVID-19, Government of Indonesia has launched several new programs and modified some of the existing G2P programs. In two of the largest social assistance programs, PKH and Kartu Sembako, more than 5 million new beneficiaries were added and also the entitlements for each beneficiary under these programs were increased by ~ 25%. Can you please elaborate on the overall strategic direction that Government of Indonesia is taking with these two flagship programs, achievements so far and innovations in delivery mechanisms for cash transfers and in in-kind food subsidy?

*25:24 – 34:43 – Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Explanation of the answer to question 1

*34:43 – 35:07 – Graham Wright – Introduction of the topic 2: Addressing the challenges in targeting, identifying and onboarding new beneficiaries

*35:07 – 36:24 – Question 2 for Mr. Pungky Sumadi – The pandemic has compelled many countries to expand their social security programs to newly vulnerable sections of the society? However, this has posed challenges for the Governments to find optimal solutions to target, identify and onboard these new beneficiaries. What measures has Government of Indonesia (GoI) taken to ensure effective targeting and identification of new beneficiaries?

*36:24 – 40:23 – Mr. Pungkyhttps Sumadi – Explanation of the answer to question 2

*40:23 – 41:18 – Question 3 for Ms. Satu Kähkönen – World Bank has been working closely with the GoI on its G2P 4.0 vision that is targeted at transforming G2P delivery and making it more efficient, inclusive and beneficiary centric. How is the problem of targeting and identifying right beneficiaries being addressed as part of this new vision? What have been the lessons from this pandemic may feed into the overall design of future G2P programs in Indonesia?

*41:18 – 46:42 – Ms. Satu Kähkönen – Explanation of the answer to question 3

*46:42 – 47:34 – Question 4 for Mr. Michael Wiegand  – The foundation has worked on this issue with governments of many developing countries. Could you please give some insights on strategies and approaches that other developing nations have adopted to tackle the challenges related to targeting/identification/onboarding of beneficiaries during the times of the pandemic, especially the role a digital ID infrastructure could play in streamlining this process?

*47:34 – 51:28 – Mr. Michael Wiegand – Explanation of the answer to question 4

*51:28 – 53:06 – Graham Wright – Introduction of the topic 3: Enabling payments infrastructure including CICO agent network to ensure an efficient last mile delivery of social assistance

*53:06 – 53:52 – Question 5 for Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Indonesia is a huge country with more than 17,000 islands. There is stark difference between overall infrastructure in and outside Java. Given these ground realities, what were some of the challenges in doing emergency cash transfers during the pandemic, especially with regards to payment channels in remote areas outside Java? How is Indonesian government tackling these challenges and what are some of the long-term implications of these existing efforts with regards to overall G2P transformation vision of GoI?

*53:52 – 54:54 – Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Explanation of the answer to question 5

*54:54 – 56:10 – Mr. Pungky Sumadi – Further explanation of the answer to question 5

*56:10 – 56:57 – Question 6 for Mr. Michael Wiegand – The Foundation has been a strong advocate for promoting inclusive payments systems. In the light of the pandemic, the importance of a well-functioning and inclusive retail payment system is clear. What is Foundation’s overall strategy on this issue especially in the context of COVID situation? What policy levers could enable a more efficient payment systems and CICO networks for delivery of social assistance at the last mile?

*56:57 – 1:02:11 – Mr. Michael Wiegand – Explanation of the answer to question 6

*1:02:11 – 1:03:05 – Question 7 for Ms. Satu Kähkönen – CICO networks are the backbone of any emergency cash transfer programs. While Mr Wiegand touched upon some of the policy levers for enabling efficient CICO networks, based on your work in other countries and in Indonesia, can you throw some light on some of the measures that service providers can take to support CICO networks during such difficult times? So that these networks remain operational and adequately motivated

*1:03:05 – 1:07:59 – Ms. Satu Kähkönen – Explanation of the answer to question 7

*1:07:59 – 1:09:54 – Graham Wright – Introduction of the topic 4: Vision for transforming social assistance delivery in Indonesia & concerns/opportunities for delivering social assistance in the new normal

*1:09:54 – 1:10:32 – Question 8 for Mr. Pungky Sumadi – Could you also elaborate on some of the key building blocks of the overall G2P 4.0 vision that Bappenas is championing, especially with regards to enabling beneficiary choice of payment instrument/service provider? What opportunities do you see to leverage non-bank channels for social assistance delivery, especially in the context of the pandemic when public-private partnership may be required?

*1:10:32 – 1:14:39 – Question 8 for Mr. Pungky Sumadi – Could you also elaborate on some of the key building blocks of the overall G2P 4.0 vision that Bappenas is championing, especially with regards to enabling beneficiary choice of payment instrument/service provider? What opportunities do you see to leverage non-bank channels for social assistance delivery, especially in the context of the pandemic when public-private partnership may be required?

*1:10:32 – 1:14:39 – Mr. Pungky Sumadi – Explanation of the answer to question 8

*1:14:39 – 1:15:21 – Question 9 for Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Effective communication and grievance redress is critical to the success for delivery of any social assistance program. How did MoSA modify its existing systems to ensure proper communication and beneficiary redress during such difficult times? What were some of main concerns of the beneficiaries and how did MoSA field teams help in addressing beneficiary concerns?

*1:15:21 – 1:20:05 – Mr. Andi Zainal Abidin Dulung – Explanation of the answer to question 9

*1:20:05 – 1:21:02 – Question 10 for Mr. Michael Wiegand – One of the main concerns for policy makers is how to ensure that women are not left behind in the “new normal”. There is a concern that lack of equitable digital access may further widen the gender divide as the focus of many government shifts to building a robust digital economy. How should policy makers adapt their G2P delivery mechanisms so that women are not left behind as the digital economy takes off?

*1:21:02 – 1:24:32 – Mr. Michael Wiegand – Explanation of the answer to question 10

*1:24:32 – 1:25:20 – Question 11 for Ms. Satu Kähkönen – You have seen and interacted with the government of various developing countries; how would you compare Indonesia’s journey with others? What can other countries learn from Indonesia with regards to G2P delivery? Any quick wins that Indonesia can take from other countries in its journey to digitize G2P transfers?

*1:25:20 – 1:30:51 – Ms. Satu Kähkönen – Explanation of the answer to question 11

*1:30:51 – 1:47:13 – All Speakers – Q&A Session

*1:47:13 – 1:52:10 – All Speakers – Final Remarks

*1:52:10 – 1:55:23 – Graham Wright – Closing Remarks