From the Ground Up: Community-Based Social Protection in Africa

Across much of Africa, where formal social protection systems remain constrained, communities have long relied on informal, homegrown mechanisms to confront vulnerability. The UNDP’s “Community-Based Social Protection in Africa” report reveals that community-based social protection organizations (CBSPOs), such as savings clubs, funeral societies, and self-help groups, serve not only as safety nets but as catalysts for social development and overall empowerment.

CBSPOs thrive on trust, reciprocity, and shared social capital, blending traditions of kinship and collective action with structured approaches to risk management. Typically comprising 10–40 members, these organizations enable local populations, particularly women, to pool resources, offer mutual aid, and foster community cohesion. They fill gaps where state programs cannot reach, strengthening local governance, accountability, and solidarity at the village level.

Beyond financial assistance, CBSPOs cultivate emotional resilience and social solidarity. They provide peer support during life events such as illness, marriage, or bereavement, reinforcing community ties. In northern Ghana, for instance, CBSPOs offer women mental relief and shared strength in societies where discussing personal struggles is often taboo. This blending of emotional care and mutual responsibility deepens social cohesion and collective identity, essential components of social development.

While CBSPOs are invaluable to communities, structural barriers persist. Youth and the poorest households remain underrepresented due to joining fees and social capital requirements. As the report notes, many young people view CBSPOs as institutions for older adults, though emerging digital self-help groups suggest a potential evolution. Addressing these gaps through inclusive policies could broaden participation and ensure equitable social growth.

The report advocates for integrating CBSPOs into formal social protection frameworks through hybrid governance models that combine state oversight with community autonomy. Governments are urged to link CBSPOs with formal finance, promote digital inclusion, and recognize them as partners in achieving broader development goals. CBSPOs’ ability to mobilize collective action also positions them to lead local infrastructure and climate resilience projects, demonstrating that social protection and social development are deeply intertwined.

Community-based social protection is more than a coping mechanism: it is a foundation for inclusive development. By empowering marginalized groups, fostering solidarity, and mobilizing community capital, CBSPOs transform vulnerability into agency. Strengthening these grassroots institutions offers a sustainable path toward equitable growth, where social protection becomes not just a policy objective but a shared social practice of development from the ground up.

For more information, visit UNDP.