United Nations Development Programme. Government of Belarus

Transcription

1 United Nations Development Programme Government of Belarus Project Document Project title UNDP Country Programme Outcome Expected project outputs National Implementing Agency Development of a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus Economic growth and increase in living standards achieved through the implementation of the following components: Incorporation of the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies; Mitigation of negative social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns; Increasing employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups; Development of statistical methods and tools. Main project outputs will include: A comprehensive system to monitor social development, quality of life and standards of living in the regions A concept note, detailing a comprehensive regional policy model aiming to reduce inequalities in the standards of living and quality of life and integrated into the national planning system; Avenues for improving the targeting of social assistance explored in a pilot mini-project implemented at the Rayon level; opportunities for improving instructional, information and technical support for targeted social assistance provision identified through such a project; Improved intra-governmental coordination at the national and local levels and stronger multisectoral partnerships leading to increased national capacity to formulate and implement comprehensive regional policies; More reliable social safety nets and more accessible social services; improved coping skills of the most vulnerable population groups, leading to increased rates of econonomic activity, market participation and selfemployment. The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus Cooperating Agency National Statistical Committee of the Republic of Belarus Brief description The project aims to improve the standards and quality of living in the regions and is linked to social government programs. It builds the capacity of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and other government agencies to formulate social assistance policies and design interventions to reduce unemployment and strengthen social safety nets in small cities and rural communities. Main activities include completion of a comprehensive analysis of social conditions in a pilot Rayon, covering the Rayon centre, principal monoindustrial cities and selected rural communities; proposing interventions to improve regional social policy formulation and piloting of new approaches to social service provision and enterprise promotion.

2 UNDP Country Programme: UNDP thematic area: Promoting inclusive growth, gender equality and achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the MDGs Award ID Project ID in Atlas: Project start: 1 June 2009 Project end: 1 December 2011 (30 months) PAC meeting date: Management Arrangements: NEX Total budget: USD 240,000 Allocated resources: including: UNDP TRAC $ 195,000 MDG-S Fund $ 45,000 Approved by: Name Position Signature Date Implementing agency: UNDP: V.N. Potupchik Antonius Broek Minister of Labour and Social Protection UNDP Resident Representative 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS SECTION I. SITUATION ANALYSIS... 5 BACKGROUND... 5 KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PROJECT BENEFICIARIES... 6 LINKAGE TO UNDP PRIORITIES... 6 SECTION II. PROJECT STRATEGY... 7 PROJECT OBJECTIVES, TASKS AND ACTIVITIES... 7 SECTION III. RESULTS AND RESOURCES...13 SECTION IV. WORKPLAN WORKPLAN WORKPLAN SECTION V. PROJECT MANAGEMENT ARRANGEMENTS...24 SECTION VI. MONITORING AND EVALUATION...26 SECTION VII: LEGAL CONTEXT...28 SECTION VIII. APPENDICES...29 APPENDIX 1. TERMS OF REFERENCES FOR THE PROJECT STEERING COMMITTEE...29 APPENDIX 2. TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR PROJECT MANAGER...30 APPENDIX 3: RISK ANALYSIS...33 APPENDIX 4. MONITORING AND EVALUATION PLAN...34 APPENDIX 5. DESCRIPTION OF UNDP COUNTRY OFFICE SUPPORT SERVICES

4 LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS MDG UNDP UNDP Office BRC ME MLSP Belstat NPRS MDG project PSC PM APM Millennium Development Goals United Nations Development Programme The United Nations Development Programme Country Office in the Republic of Belarus UNDP Regional Center for Europe and the CIS in Bratislava The Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Belarus The Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Republic of Belarus The National Statistics Committee of the Republic of Belarus The National Poverty Prevention Strategy UNDP project in Belarus entitled "Development of the system to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals Project Steering Committee Project Manager Assistant Project Manager

5 SECTION I. SITUATION ANALYSIS BACKGROUND Despite Belarus impressive progress in reducing the poverty rate from 46.7% in 1999 to 6.1% in 2008, a comprehensive analysis conducted by the World Bank and the joint UNDP/Government of Belarus project Assisting in elaborating the basic foundation for the National Poverty Reduction Strategy in the Republic of Belarus ( ) identified a number of population groups most vulnerable to poverty, e.g., large families with three or more children, single parent households, workers with a low level of education, and the disabled receiving social pensions. The analysis also revealed that in rural areas and small towns the poverty rate was above the national average. The local economies in these communities are dominated by state-owned enterprises, most of which are overstaffed and dependent on state subsidies. The workers at such enterprises are thus highly vulnerable to poverty. Restructuring of state-owned enterprises may exacerbate social tensions in these communities. Accessible and diverse social services are important determinants of quality of life. Local centres for social protection, operating in the status of state institutions, are the main providers of such services at community level. Innovative methods of social work and wider use of social contracting could significantly improve coverage and outreach of these centres to the needy populations. Successful regional development depends on effective prevention of poverty and social exclusion. These priorities are addressed in a number of government programmers. The State Programme for Development of Small Cities for aims to facilitate local economic development, promote job creation and improve the social infrastructure. The State Rural Development Programme for establishes development priorities for rural communities. The State Program of Social Protection of Senior Citizens, Veterans and Persons Suffered from the Consequences of Wars ( ) and the Program of Improving the System of Social Work with Single Senior Citizens up until 2010 will serve to improve the situation of senior citizens, strengthening their social protection and improving quality of life. Economic growth supported by investments is key to improving living standards in small cities and rural areas. Attracting investments to these communities is therefore a priority for government policies. A favourable social environment and stable livelihoods are contributing factors to investment promotion. Poverty reduction policies should also consider the socio-economic impact of the world financial crisis. Current data on employment and income trends among the most vulnerable population groups are important to monitor changes in the standards of living, improve the targeting social protection measures and provide better social services. At present, most such data are available only at the national and oblast levels of aggregation, are collected by different agencies and presented with a time lag. The coping capacities and strategies employed remain poorly explored. Addressing this knowledge gap would help formulate better policy responses, target social protection and mitigate the negative effects of enterprise restructuring at the local level. Previous UNDP projects Community-Level Dialogue and Partnerships to Reduce the Impact of Enterprise Restructuring on Poverty and Unemployment in Belarus" ( ) and Assisting in Elaborating the basic foundation for the National Poverty Reduction Strategy in the Republic of Belarus ( ), implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, facilitated improvements in the area. This technical assistance project was initiated by the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection in collaboration with UNDP. It will build government capacity to monitor changes in the living standards, unemployment and poverty in the regions, particularly at the rayon, small city and village levels, and to develop a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus. The emphasis is on enhancing national management capacity for crisis management, and formulation of policies to promote employment, improve services, enhance resource allocation for social protection.

6 KEY STAKEHOLDERS AND PROJECT BENEFICIARIES The project strengthens the capacity of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices to mount policy responses to modern challenges and to coordinate their interventions with the local authorities and the population at the national, regional and local levels. The project engages a wide range of stakeholders and organizations of the socio-economic profile such as the Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee, research and development institutions, government and local NGOs. The main target groups include: National and oblast governments. The project will strengthen their capacities to make informed decisions regarding social service provision and to formulate a comprehensive regional social policy model. Use of this model will support implementation of state socio-economic programmers. Local governments. The project will facilitate the search for new tools, methods and mechanisms to serve the local populations. Improved services will mitigate social risks by building on the strengths and coping capabilities of the local residents, promote employment and raise the standards of living. General population. The project will work directly with the population of the pilot rayon. In addition, state social policy-making will indirectly affect standards and quality of living of the Belarusian population in general by improving the state system of targeted social assistance, enhancing performance of rayon labor, employment and social protection authorities as well as local centers for social assistance. LINKAGE TO UNDP PRIORITIES A UNDP strategy for RBEC ( ) emphasizes the importance of promoting economic growth while also reducing the levels of social exclusion of the poor and income inequality. The focus is on strengthening support for decision making by: (a) supporting collection and analysis of poverty data that are disaggregated by vulnerability criteria (e.g., gender, ethnicity, age, health status, sub-national location); (b) enhancing capacities of statistical offices to better capture the complexities of poverty and social exclusion; c) promoting the use of disaggregated data by policy makers, professionals, local authorities, NGOs and international organizations at decision making and project-related and social activities. Particular priority is attached to improving social policies and economic governance in the wake of the global financial crisis. UNDP supports the efforts undertaken by countries to develop their own definitions, ratings, terms, criteria and indicators of poverty at the national level, as well as strategic program documents and measures to implement them. Such efforts are viewed as important contributors to reducing poverty and social costs of the transition period, and a catalyst of positive change in the living standards and quality of life. This project contributes to the achievement of MDG-1 and is consistent with the goals and objectives of the UNDP Country Programme for Belarus for Specifically, the project supports delivery of country programme outputs by bringing direct benefits to the citizens of Belarus, drawing on UNDP s global experience and know-how, it forging new partnerships between national stakeholders as well as between Government and the private sector, meeting national priorities and strengthening local-level initiatives. The project falls into the Country Programme thematic area Promoting economic growth and improving popular living standards. Project outputs specifically address the following country programme objectives: Incorporate the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies; 6

7 Strengthen poverty monitoring/analysis and advocacy; Mitigate the social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns; Increase employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups. The project will build on the experience and potential of UNDP on-going projects. It will be carried out in cooperation with the following projects Improving the administrative and economic environment for private sector development by facilitating public-private dialogue, "Support to Microfinance Development in Belarus, Promoting Private Sector Activity in the Regions by Strengthening Small Business Development Centers, Area-based Development of the Chernobylaffected Areas of Belarus. SECTION II. PROJECT STRATEGY PROJECT OBJECTIVES, TASKS AND ACTIVITIES The project aims to achieve two objectives: Objective 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention. Objective 2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards of living and quality of life. A comprehensive regional social policy model is systematic strategies implemented by the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection at oblast and rayon levels to achieve the maximum cumulative effect to reduce inequalities in the standards and quality of living. The model includes: Diagnostics of the social situation, assessment of current social policies, approaches and mechanism to identify social problems at the local level; Effective instruments for improving social assistance and building up the capacity of the population to independently copy with difficult situations; Introducing innovations in the social assistance sphere. The specific tasks of the project include: Develop a system of monitoring social development at the regional / district level, design a regional social policy model aimed at reducing regional income inequalities; testing the social policy model in pilot regions; Provide methodological, technical and information support for improved targeting of social protection in the pilot rayon; Improve peoples access to labor, employment, social assistance and social services through local centers of social assistance; Improve coordination of different central government bodies, local authorities, selfgovernment and cross-sectoral cooperation in implementing regional social policy; Facilitate exchange of best practices on poverty reduction measures and provide training of socially vulnerable groups to promote self-employment. The following project activities will be undertaken: Developing a set of regional social indicators as a part of BelarusInfo; Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo; 7

8 Analysis of living standards in the pilot rayon based on national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection; Assessment of potential labor surplus in mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market; Participatory survey of living standards of local population; Conducting structured interviews with authorities in labor, employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy; Development of recommendations to the Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention; Testing and introduction of innovations in the practice of the employment and social services and their integration in state programs and rayon s economic and social development plan. A synergistic effect from the proposed project activities will entail: Expanded access and improved quality of regional/rayon data as evidence for social diagnostics and early warning of high unemployment and poverty risks as well as monitoring of social services and analysis of problems; Increased government capacity to monitor social needs of population and their recognition in programs of socio-economic development of regions and small towns, and in targeted state social programs; Effective and expanded employment and social protection measures and services contributing to better people s living standards in small towns and rural settings. Impact: The project will improve intra-governmental co-ordination, strengthen regional social policies and service delivery; promote employment, reduce of the incidence of poverty, and improvement the standards of living and quality of life. Output 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention Rationale In order to develop an effective social policy at the regional level the Government of Belarus needs a system of monitoring indicators disaggregated at the level of rayons/districts and towns needed to assess the local situation impartially. The problem is complicated by the fact that such data are collected by different government agencies without proper co-ordination. No systemized set of the required data currently exists and no regular rayon reporting and analysis is available. The project will work in close cooperation with the UNDP project Development of the system to monitor progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. This will ensure integration of social indicators into the national computerized database BelarusInfo created based on the Devinfo software consistent with international best practices. Activity 1.1 Developing of a set of regional social indicators as a part of BelarusInfo The UNDP project Development of the System to Monitor the Achievement of the Millennium Development Goals intends to create BelarusInfo software with a unified database identifying a number of indicators of socio-economic development of the Republic of Belarus and expanding the monitoring system to the rayon level. Within the national statistical system nation-wide living standards indicators are derived from the household survey. Other social indicators (e.g. on employment, social services, education, health and housing) are available from administrative statistics. Many of these indicators are currently available only at the national and oblast level of aggregation. 8

9 Aimed at relevant coordination, the project will ensure the joint work of experts from both projects to harmonize the system of social indicators at the regional level. The list of indicators and a methodology for data collection, reporting and analysis will be developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Economy, the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the National Statistics Committee, local authorities and other stakeholders. The proposals are suggested to meet the monitoring requirements stipulated by the State Programme for the Development of Medium and Small Towns for and the State Programme for Rural Development The current activity is expected to lead to development of a set of regional social indicators integrated into the BelarusInfo system. A methodology for regular data collection in rayons will be proposed; a new software product with visual/mapping tools will be produced. This will enable regular regional social monitoring as well as design and realization of preventative poverty-related measures. Activity 1.2 Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo Application of new software requires appropriate training of prospective users. The project will train the staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, other government agencies and regional authorities in the use of new methods of social diagnostics, application of technical capabilities and data of BelarusInfo. Output 2: Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life. Rationale The required social policy measures should be developed based on an in-depth analysis of social conditions in pilot rayons that will assess local needs for employment and social services. The project therefore will undertake such a detailed pilot assessment in a rayon centre, a monoenterprise town and a village in the same rayon. The inclusion of the rayon centre, a mono-town and a village will allow tracking down the vertical chain of social service delivery from a rayon to a basic territorial entity village. The assessment will enable to identify and specify current social problems of population with regard to a particular territorial entity type as well as to assess their vulnerability to poverty incidence. Statistical assessment of the standards and quality of life will be supplemented by a qualitative participatory assessment, an analysis of local labor market and social assistance delivered, and interviews with social service providers on enhancement of social assistance tools. Analytical data on quantitative and qualitative assessment of locally specific social problems ( rayon a rayon center mono-enterprise town typical village") will provide a social portrait of the selected rayons and enhance targeted social assistance. Analysis, targets, priorities and processes for introducing innovations designed to develop and approbate an effective social policy at regional level will be harmonized based on population needs assessment and capacity analysis of social services providers. Activity 2.1 Analysis of living standards in pilot rayons based on national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection; The assessment of the pilot rayon will begin with collection and analysis of available national and institutional statistics on local living standards and social conditions. Living standards and social conditions in the rayon will be assessed using data from the Household Budget Survey that provide oblast level data differentiated by urban and rural areas and other social indicators such as the rate of unemployment, number of recipients of targeted state social assistance, coverage of different population groups with social services. Administrative regional data on employment, social services and targeted state social assistance will supplement the analysis. 9

10 Activity 2.2 Assessment of potential labor surplus in mono-towns and support to monitoring of local labor market The project will estimate potential labour surplus at main enterprises in a mono-town in order to assess risks of unemployment that may be caused by future restructuring of the enterprises that serve as main employers of the local labour force. Such estimate will be done by comparing current levels of labour productivity (employment per unit of production) with benchmark enterprises in the same industry in neighboring countries (e.g. Lithuania and Poland) that have undergone restructuring. The estimate of potential redundant labour force will be compared with local and national rates of unemployment. An assessment of the buoyancy of the local labour market, as well as the age and skill profile of the current workforce. A study tour will be organised in order to learn foreign experience in the area. The project will support local authorities and employment services in setting up regular monitoring of local labour markets. This work will be carried out in the following stages: Coordination of a list of local labor market indicators, including numbers and dynamics of local labour force, its demographic and gender structure, qualification of the labour force, participation rates, hiring and firings, the rate of unemployment, structure of unemployment with particular focus on the youth, women, disabled and long-term unemployed. Elabouration of methodological recommendations for data collection and analysis. In particular all administrative sources of data will be reviewed and methods of its analysis will be proposed. The activity will result in a developed methodology of local labour market monitoring aimed at forecasting poverty incidence among the most vulnerable groups. To identify employment perspectives and smooth risks, a series of trainings on socially responsible restructuring of main enterprises will be organized. Activity 2.3 Participatory survey of living standards of local population Subjective self-rating of socio-economic status contributes to impartial statistical analysis of standards and quality of life. In order to capture data specifying the situation in qualitative aspects, the project will conduct a participatory survey. International community applies a participatory approach to identify current social needs and problems of population and, coping strategies. In particular living standards are only partially dependent on monetary income (salary). The evidence suggests that survival strategies are substantially dependent on other means as well. Involvement of unemployed in economic activities, poverty prevention or independent copying with poverty is seen as support of those means. Special attention is paid to the current social capacity of population taken with regard to its structure and social networks availability. The suggested approach enables to identify entrepreneurial capacity of population and suggest the most effective tools and methods of the state support. The method of this participatory assessment will include focus group discussions with representatives of the population, including both working and unemployed, young families, low income beneficiaries of state targeted social assistance, pensioners, and disabled. Thus the assessment will be comprehensive in covering all categories of local population. Subject to further design work the field methods are likely to be based on an approach commonly known as PRA (Participatory Reflection and Action). That being the case, two types or levels of research will be used: a) field methods to be deployed in and around the selected sites; b) analytical integration and triangulation of the field results with data and testimony from other sources.this enables to produce a social portrait of the region. 10

11 The result of participatory assessment will be strengthening local social protection measures in a number of ways. First, it will enrich and broaden MLSP understanding of people s needs by including the analysis of the vulnerable citizens themselves. It will lead to more constructive elabouration and implementation of economic and social development plans. Second, local residents will be involved in discussions and problems-solving. Following the results of such activities a methodology for conducting participatory surveys and preparing social portraits tested in the pilot region will be developed. They will be submitted to the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection as a toolset for making subsequent assessments of social environment in other regions. Activity 2.4 Structured interviews with social services providers Interviews with local service providers will review of existing institutional arrangements, administrative guidelines, targeting and evaluation mechanisms, procedures and practices in the delivery of social support and services. The main purpose of this analysis is to reveal gaps and needs in strengthening service delivery, including systems, methods and personnel. Participants will discuss possibilities to improve social support tools, active measures at labor market to stimulate for local residents facing the risk of poverty, identify innovations in social support to population. These interviews will result in a methodology of conducting interviews within the MLSP system and an analytical report with the interview results. Both documents will serve to propose recommendations to the Government. Activity 2.5 Development of recommendations to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention The needs assessment and analysis of capacities of social services providers will serve to harmonise targets, priorities and processes for introducing innovations aimed at development of comprehensive regional social policy model. Based on the comprehensive analysis of the data provided by the project stakeholders and taking into account opinions of all the target groups, recommendations for the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection will be elaborated. They will focus on improving social policies related to employment, poverty prevention, assistance to the most vulnerable groups, topical areas of regional social services development and ways of introducing them into state programs and rayon s socioeconomic development plans. Recommendations on enhancing regional social policies in poverty prevention will be systematized to be a background of the comprehensive regional social policy model. Activity 2.6 Testing and introduction of innovations in the practice of the employment and social services and their integration in state programs and rayon s economic and social development plans The project plans to attract the most successful international experience of delivering social services, its adjusting and testing at the pilot rayon. The innovations will affect three following areas: 1. Enhancing the system of delivery of targeted state social assistance, in particular, the procedures of verifying eligibility and validity of its reasons; differentiated accounting of categories of different types of applicants, their incomes, benefits and allowances. In addition, proposals will be elaborated relating to comparison of the official poverty threshold (the 11

12 minimum subsistence budget) with the eligibility criteria to justify receiving targeted state social assistance. Such comparison will use the data collected during the pilot study, adequacy verification of the applied filters aimed to avoid an increase of dependant behavior among the recipients of such assistance, minimizing inclusion/exclusion errors. The key principle of the new model should be coherence, simplicity and consistency in the recordkeeping system structure. It will enable to develop and accumulate data in electronic databases and identify discrepancies in information provided by applicants. 2. Modeling a system of delivery of certain social services types based on a state order. Recommendations will be proposed to introduce the mechanism of social order to social facilities as a component of social entrepreneurship development. 3. Work with employable population to promote self-employment and entrepreneurship in such areas as promoting socially-responsible restructuring of the core economic enterprises, introducing social entrepreneurship, improving financial knowledge of the population to make planning more efficient, training people in planning and managing family budgets (savings, investments, risks), developing social partnerships enhancing prevention of such social ills as stress, aggression, family violence, alcoholism, drug-abuse, etc. Project consultants will support the local MLSP staff by providing trainings and consultations on pilot innovations. It is expected that policy innovations tested by practice will be integrated in socio-economic planning of rayons, mono-industry towns and villages, as well as be reflected in the labor-related work plans and programmes of the MLSP. To disseminate lessons learned on comprehensive regional policies development, a series of meetings will be held in the regions involving representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and regional authorities. A publication will be prepared on the project results and findings and presented at the final project conference. The publication will represent a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus. 12

13 SECTION III. RESULTS AND RESOURCES UNDP Country Programme Outcome : Poverty reduction incorporated into national socio-economic planning and policies. Project outputs deal with achievements of the following goals identified by the Country Programme: help incorporate the aims of poverty reduction and better living standards into socio-economic policies, strengthening poverty monitoring/analysis and advocacy; mitigate negative social costs of agricultural and industrial reforms with a special focus on prevention and containment of unemployment in small towns; increasing employability and entrepreneurship of vulnerable groups. UNDP Country Programme indicators: Main principles of the National Poverty Prevention Strategy developed and linked to the National Strategy of Sustainable Development and other strategic policies; Baseline: The National Poverty Prevention Strategy conceptualized. Thematic area (as per UNDP Strategic Plan for ): Promoting inclusive growth, gender equality and achievement of the MDGs Partners: Ministry of Economy, National Statistics Committee, regional and local authorities Project title: Development of a regional social policy model for poverty reduction in Belarus EXPECTED RESULTS VS. PROJECT OBJECTIVES 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention Baseline: 1. Absence of regular monitoring of employment and socio-economic situation at the regional level in the interests of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection 2. Staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection (incl. in the regions) not familiar with the BelarusInfo software Indicators: 1. A set of regional social development indicators for monitoring employment and socio-economic situation of the population integrated into BelarusInfo staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and local authorities trained to use BelarusInfo TARGET INDICATORS ( ) 1 st year 1. A systematized set of regional social development indicators for monitoring employment and socio-economic situation of the population produced and discussed staff of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (basic version) 2 nd year 1. Integration of social indicators into the software suite BelarusInfo; preparation of methodologies for regular collection of regional social indicators and their introduction in the BelarusInfo staff of regional MLSP offices and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (advanced package) 3 rd year 1. Introduction of the methodology for regular collection of social indicators in rayons and their reflection in the BelarusInfo staff of MLSP regional offices and local authorities trained to apply the BelarusInfo (adapted version) MAIN ACTIVITIES 1.1. Develop a system of social indicators of regional development as a part of the BelarusInfo system. Organize a group of experts to develop a set of social indicators Integrate social indicators into the BelarusInfo (adapted version) Elaborate the methodology for regular collection of rayon social indicators with the BelarusInfo software 1.2. Training of ministries and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with the BelarusInfo Conduct trainings to MLSP staff and local authorities in all fields RESPONSIBLE PARTIES PM Ministry of Labor and Social Protection in cooperation with the MDG project/ Ministry of Economy, Belstat INPUTS 19,400 National consultants, seminars and training sessions, consumables

14 2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life Baseline: 1. Absence of a comprehensive regional social policy aimed at reducing inequalities in the standards and quality of life 2. A need to include activities on poverty prevention and social services development into rayons and regions development plans 3. Low access of MLSP staff and regional authorities to modern technologies in employment and social support 4. Local employment and social services need new approaches and effective tools to implement policies on fostering employment and social protection of local population 5. Insufficient awareness on innovative approaches and applicable tools for poverty reduction and prevention Indicators: 1. A set of methodologies for comprehensive monitoring of a rayon social development 2. Recommendations on developing a comprehensive regional policy model, based on the results of the pilot study. 3. At least 6 seminars and a country-wide conference for MLSP and local authorities on improving regional social policies 4. At least 3 innovations introduced in planning and socio-economic development of pilot rayons, mono-enterprise towns and rural settlements 1 st year 1. Development of methodologies for analysis and monitoring of labour market and living standars in a pilot rayon; conduction of the 1 st part of analysis 2. A study visit arranged to learn experience on social diagnostics and incorporation of povertyrelated aspects into local sustainable development plans (Slovakia) 3. Seminars on socially responsible restructuring and microfinance 4. International experience reviewed, domestic best practices screened to identify potential innovations to be introduced into the practice of social services in a pilot rayon 5. Publication of a review of social innovations in neighboring countries. 2 nd year 1. Completion of the study in the pilot rayon; guidelines on comprehensive social situation monitoring at the rayon level developed 2. Recommendations for the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection on developing a comprehensive regional policy model drafted 3. 2 seminars for social service providers and local authorities of the pilot rayon to identify niches for employment, to raise public awareness, to improve the system of social services delivery, to introduce innovations and new tools of social assistance 4. Introduction of innovations in social mapping, creating conditions for social entrepreneurship, organizing thematic training sessions for socially vulnerable population groups (coping strategy, raising awareness in popular finance and microfinance) 5. Preparation and publication of information leaflets on conditions and practices of social 2.1. Comprehensive analysis of social conditions in the chain " a rayon center a mono-enterprise town a village" that allows to assess local needs for employment and social services (using the example of the pilot rayon). Analyze standards and quality of life in pilot rayons based on the national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection; Assess potential labor surplus in monotowns and support to monitoring of local labor market; Conduct a Participatory survey of living standards of local population through structured interviews with authorities in labor, employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy; Develop recommendations to the Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention, based on joint work of the population and social service providers Develop recommendations to the Government to enhance regional social policies in poverty prevention and improving quality and standards of life of the population Prepare a set of guidelines based on the completed studies (a methodology of assessing the local labor market and social portrait of the rayon, a participatory survey and a methodology of conducting structured interviews with social authorities) Elaborate recommendations for local authorities on improving social policies PM Ministry of Labor and its regional offices in cooperation with Ministry of Economy, Belstat PM Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices in cooperation with Ministry of Economy, Belstat 126,900 National consultants, publication of materials, consumables National consultants, international consultants, seminars and a conference, publication of materials, consumables 14

15 5. 3 publications entrepreneurship, on the practice and prospects of social services development in Belarus 3 rd year 1. Recommendations on introduction of the comprehensive social assessment into regional socio-economic planning and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21) 2. Discussion of recommendations on improving regional social policies of poverty prevention (a round table in the pilot rayon and the final project conference) 3. A seminar for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon (and other stakeholders) on social entrepreneurship 4. Introduction of proposed innovations into planning of local socio-economic development as well as to the practice of social work in the pilot rayon 5. Publication of a booklet on project results and findings. and their integration in regional socioeconomic development plans and local sustainable development plans (Local Agenda 21) Prepare proposals improving state assistance to socially vulnerable population groups Provide recommendations on developing a comprehensive regional policy model based on the results of the pilot study Conduct 2 regional seminars to discussion the proposed recommendations involving representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and regional authorities Arrange the final conference to discuss the proposed model of comprehensive regional social policy and ways of its incorporation into state programs and plans of socio-economic development of rayons Publish a booklet of the project results and findings 2.3. Introduce innovations in the practice of the employment and social assistance offices Study the experience in social diagnostics and integrate the povertyrelated issue into territorial development plans. Arrange a study tour to Slovakia. Study international experience of social services delivery, including on the contractual basis (publication), Study the conditions and practices of PM Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and its regional offices National consultants, seminars and training sessions, a study visit, publication of materials, consumables 15

16 social entrepreneurship in Belarus (publication) Conduct seminars on sociallyresponsible restructuring and microfinance Arrange 2 seminars for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon on identifying new areas for employment, raising public awareness, innovations and tools for providing social assistance to the population. Prepare and test social mapping in the pilot rayon 2.4. Identify and introduce innovations in the work with employable population aimed at promoting self-employment and entrepreneurship Conduct 3 thematic trainings on promoting coping strategies to socially vulnerable population groups in the pilot rayon A seminar for social service providers and authorities of the pilot rayon (and other stakeholders) on social entrepreneurship Facilitate establishing a social enterprise (feasibility study/business-plan for the establishment of a social enterprise). 3. Organization of project management, implementation and monitoring Establish a system of project management and administration Payments to project personnel (PM and PM 93,700 Project personnel, equipment, rent, APM) communications, Project planning and reporting consumables Total for the project: USD 240,000 16

17 Review of budget planning in the project Types of activity Budget distribution by years: Total: 1. Comprehensive evaluation and monitoring of the level of social development of the regions, development of an early warning system for preventing poverty. 2. Development and implementation of a concept of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reducing inequalities in the standards and quality of living of the population. 3. Organization of project management, implementation and monitoring ,000 7,200 7,200 19,400 45,800 49,100 31, ,900 25,200 35,000 33,500 93,700 Total for the project: 77,000 91,300 71, ,000 17

18 SECTION IV. WORKPLAN 2009 (draft, to be revised) Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities Quarters Responsible Planned budget I II III IV parties Donor Budget Amount 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention Target indicators (2009) 1. A systematized set of regional social development indicators for monitoring employment and socio-economic situation of the population produced and discussed staff of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (basic version) 1.1. Organizing a group of experts (in cooperation with representatives of MDGs project) to develop a set of social indicators for monitoring state social programs and ensuring the group performance 1.2. Training of MLSP staff involved in the project in applying basic suite of BelarusInfo Х Х Х PM Regional MDGs Project Х PM MLSP ,600 UNDP Total 6, Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of regional inequalities in the standards and quality of life Target indicators (2009): 1. Development of methodologies for analysis, evaluation and forecasting of labour market and living standards in a pilot rayon; conduction of the1 st part of analysis; 2. A study visit arranged to study experience on social diagnostics and incorporation of povertyrelated aspects into local sustainable development plans (Slovakia) 3. Seminars on socially responsible restructuring and microfinance 4. International experience reviewed, domestic best practices screened to identify potential innovations to be introduced into the practice of social 2.1 Selection of a pilot rayon X PM,PSC UNDP , Development of a ToR and recruitment of consultants for conducting comprehensive analysis of socio-economic development of a pilot rayon 2.3. Analyzing standards and quality of life in pilot rayons based on the national statistics and administrative data provided by rayon authorities in labor, employment and social protection (report) 2.4.Assessing potential labor surplus in monotowns and support to monitoring of local labor market (report); 2.5.Preparing a set of guidelines based on the completed studies (a methodology of assessing the local labor market and social portrait of the rayon, a participatory survey and a methodology Х PM, UNDP Regional Advisor, X X Regional MDG project UNDP X X Regional MDG project UNDP X X Regional MDG project , , , ,000

19 Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities Quarters Responsible Planned budget I II III IV parties Donor Budget Amount services in a pilot rayon 5. Publication of a review of social innovations in neighboring countries of conducting structured interviews with social authorities) 2.6. Mission of UNDP Advisor on poverty prevention (Bratislava) X Regional MDG project , Organizing a study visit to Slovakia to study social diagnostics and incorporation of povertyrelated aspects into local sustainable development plans (Slovakia) X Regional MDG project , Administrative support to the project (in total) 2.8. Preparation and publication of analytical review of foreign experience in social services delivery 2.9. Organizing a national seminar on socially responsible restructuring of the core economic enterprises Organizing a seminar on microfinance in a pilot rayon Studying capacities of a pilot rayon in probation of social innovations. Discussion of analytical report on foreign experience in social services delivery and potential innovations for probation and introduction in a pilot rayon (development of a social map of a pilot rayon, establishment of a rayon council of social protection, etc.) X X Regional MDG project Х Regional MDG project Х UNDP Х X UNDP ,000 3,000 7,600 1, ,000 1,000 Total: 45,800 Project management, equipment, expendables, miscellaneous Х Х Х РM, APM UNDP 25,200 Grand Total in ,000 UNDP 32,000 Regional MDG project 45,000 19

20 WORKPLAN 2010 (draft, to be revised) Expected outputs vs project indicators Key planned activities Quarters Responsible Planned budget I II III IV parties Donor Budget Amount 1. Comprehensive assessment and monitoring of the social situation in the regions, development of an early warning system for poverty prevention. Target indicators (2010) 1. Integration of social indicators into the software suite BelarusInfo; preparation of methodologies for regular collection of regional social indicators and their introduction in BelarusInfo staff of regional MLSP offices and local authorities trained to apply BelarusInfo (adapted version) 2. Development and implementation of a comprehensive regional social policy model aimed at reduction of inequalities in the standards and quality of life Target indicators (2010): 1. Completion of the study in the pilot rayon; guidelines on comprehensive social situation monitoring at the rayon level developed. 2. Preparing draft recommendations on developing a comprehensive regional social policy 3. 2 seminars for social service providers and local authorities of the pilot rayon to identify niches for employment, to raise public awareness, to improve the system of social services delivery, to introduce innovations and new tools of social assistance 4. Introduction of innovations in social mapping, creating conditions for social entrepreneurship, 1.1. Ensuring work of expert group in cooperation with MDG project representatives aimed at integration of social indicators into BelarusInfo (adapted version) 1.2. Elaboration of the methodology for regular collection of rayon social indicators with BelarusInfo software 1.3.Organizing a training of regional MLSP and local authorities in regular monitoring of regional social indicators with BelarusInfo Х Х UNDP ,500 Х UNDP ,000 Х РM UNDP Total 7, Completion of a comprehensive analysis of social conditions in the chain «a rayon center a mono-enterprise town a village" that allows to assess local needs for employment and social services (using the example of the pilot rayon). Participatory survey of quality and standards of life of local population Structured interviews with authorities in labour, employment and social protection to identify problems in regional social policy; labour, employment and social protection Preparing set of recommendations on conducting a comprehensive analysis of social situation at a rayon level 2.2. Preparing draft recommendations on developing a comprehensive regional social policy Organizing discussion of the proposed recommendations involving representatives from all levels of the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection and regional authorities X X РM UNDP ,000 Х X РM UNDP ,000 1,000 Х PM, PSC UNDP ,000 X X Х PM, PSC UNDP 4,000 Х UNDP