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Tanzania Conditional Cash Transfer (TASAF III/ PSSN): Youth Well-being and the Transition to Adulthood

Year Programme Began:2012-current
Implementing Ministry:Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF)
Target Group:Ultra-poor
Conditions:Schooling and health
Approximate Reach (as of 2015):1.1 million households (as of 2016)

The Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN), initiated in 2012, is the flagship social protection programme of Tanzania and is implemented by the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF). The objective of the PSSN, currently in its second phase (2020-2025) is to increase income and consumption and to strengthen the resilience of vulnerable populations, with an overall aim to reduce extreme poverty and break the intergenerational persistence of poverty. PSSN beneficiaries are identified through a three-stage targeting process, including geographical targeting, community-based targeting, and a proxy-means test. The programme reaches over five million individuals in 1.3 million chronically poor households in 186 project authority areas (PAAs). Regular bi-monthly (every other month) cash transfers are provided manually at payment points to eligible beneficiaries. In the September to October 2023 payment cycle, the average value transferred was 31,844 TZS (approximately 12.48 USD). The average value of bi-monthly cash transfers to households varies slightly by payment cycle, depending on a household’s eligibility for:

  • A basic (conditional) cash transfer – for all recipient households, conditional on participation in savings groups for households with labour capacity, and unconditional for households without labour capacity (“direct support”). Once a household enrolls in public works, this cash transfer ceases. Fixed transfer per household of 12,000 TZS per month;
  • A vulnerable groups unconditional cash transfer – for all recipient households with a child aged 0-18 years and any person with a disability. Additional fixed transfers of 5,000 TZS for each of the mentioned categories (maximum one per household);
  • A variable human capital transfer – for all recipient households with children, subject to compliance with health or education co-responsibilities, which vary according to the child’s age and education status (additional variable transfers ranging from 2,000 for lower primary to 8,000 for upper secondary; maximum 55,000 TZS per month).

As part of the PSSN, the public works scheme offers temporary employment to PSSN households with labour capacity to provide additional income during the lean season(s). Eligible households have an entitlement of 60 working days per year that can be spread over a period of six months which implies working for 10 days each month.

The livelihoods enhancement support (productive inclusion) component provides basic skills training in economic activities and enhanced livelihood and capacity building component is targeted to households in 51 of the poorest PAAs who are invited to participate in savings groups and awareness-raising and skills training sessions. Attention is given to ensure the support is appropriate to the needs of both women and men in households. It has saving promotion, entrepreneurship skill training and productive grant provision.

Under the Transfer Project, three impact evaluations have been implemented to understand how the PSSN affects the well-being of children, adolescents and youth, a key demographic for breaking the inter-generational persistence of poverty.

The first study (2015-2017), conducted as a collaboration between UNICEF Innocenti, REPOA, the Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), and UNICEF Tanzania, was an 18-month, mixed methods study with a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) design to provide evidence on the effects that the PSSN has had on youth well-being and the transition to adulthood. For the study, we conducted two waves of data collection: a baseline in August–October 2015 and an endline from March to May 2017. In both waves of data collection, quantitative and qualitative interviews were conducted with youth who were between the ages of 14 and 28 years at baseline (15–30 years at endline).

The second study (2017-2021), conducted as a collaboration between UNICEF Innocenti, EDI Global, University at Buffalo, UNICEF Tanzania, TASAF, and the Tanzania Commission for AIDS (TACAIDS) – is a 45-month, mixed method cluster RCT providing evidence on the potential for an additional plus component targeted to youth that is layered on top of the PSSN to improve current health and well-being and future economic opportunities for youth and facilitate their safe transitions to adulthood. This is based on the recognition that cash alone is rarely sufficient to mitigate all risks and vulnerabilities youth face or to overcome structural barriers to education, delayed marriage and pregnancy, and other safe transitions. This gender-sensitive intervention combined livelihoods and life skills training, mentoring and a productive grant, and linkages to strengthened adolescent-friendly health services. More information and reports can be found here: https://www.unicef.org/innocenti/reports/grassp-united-republic-tanzania

The third study (2023-2026), conducted as a collaboration between PRESTO, EDI Global, Empathea, TASAF, and UNICEF Tanzania, is a longitudinal, mixed-method RCT examining impacts of a cash plus intervention, Stawisha Maisha (Nourishing Life), aimed at improving children’s nutrition. Stawisha Maisha is comprised of a weekly edutainment radio broadcast (over six months), provision of free solar powered radios, and peer-led discussion groups. The intervention is layered onto the PSSN and implemented by Government (via TASAF). The evaluation includes 2,256 households across 150 villages in three regions and conducts interviews with primary caregivers, health facilities, and community leaders.

Type Title Theme(s) Year Citation
Journal Article Transactional sex among adolescent girls and young women enrolled in a cash plus intervention in rural Tanzania: a mixed-methods study Cash Plus Programmes; Gender and Gender-Based Violence; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being 2022 N/A
Journal Article Impacts of cash transfer and “cash plus” programs on self- perceived stress in Africa: Evidence from Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania Cash Plus Programmes; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being; Resilience and Productive Impacts 2023

John Maara, Cristina Cirillo, Gustavo Angeles, Leah Prencipe, Marlous deMilliano, Sarah M. Lima, Tia Palermo, Impacts of cash transfer and “cash plus” programs on self- perceived stress in Africa: Evidence from Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania, SSM – Population Health,Volume 22, 2023, 101403, ISSN 2352-8273, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmph.2023.101403.

Journal Article A “Plus” Model for Safe Transitions to Adulthood: Impacts of an Integrated Intervention Layered onto A National Social Protection Program on Sexual Behavior and Health Seeking among Tanzania's Youth Adolescents 2022

Waidler J, Gilbert U, Mulokozi A, Palermo T. A “Plus” Model for Safe Transitions to Adulthood: Impacts of an Integrated Intervention Layered onto A National Social Protection Program on Sexual Behavior and Health Seeking among Tanzania’s Youth. Stud Fam Plann. 2022 Mar 21. doi: 10.1111/sifp.12190. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35315072.

Brief Ujana Salama Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions – Round 3 Findings (Swahili Version) Cash Plus Programmes 2020
Report A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood Round 3 Report Cash Plus Programmes 2020
Journal Article Impacts of a Cash Plus Intervention on Gender Attitudes Among Tanzanian Adolescents Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Gender and Gender-Based Violence 2020

Chzhen, Y., Prencipe, L., Eetaama, F., Luchemba, P., Mnyawami Lukongo, T., Palermo, T. (2020) Impacts of a Cash Plus Intervention on Gender Attitudes Among Tanzanian Adolescents, Journal of Adolescent Health, ISSN: 1054-139X, Vol: 68, Issue: 5, Page: 899-905

Journal Article Do Conditional Cash Transfers Improve Mental Health? Evidence From Tanzania’s Governmental Social Protection Program Adolescents; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being 2021

Prencipe, L., Houweling, T., van Lenthe, F., Palermo, T. (2021). “Do Conditional Cash Transfers Improve Mental Health? Evidence From Tanzania’s Governmental Social Protection Program”, Journal of Adolescent Health, ISSN 1054-139X, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2021.04.033.

Journal Article Cash Transfers, Public Works and Child Activities: Mixed Methods Evidence from the United Republic of Tanzania Education and Child Labour 2020

de Hoop J; Gichane M; Groppo V; Simmons Zuilkowski S.(2020).Cash Transfers, Public Works and Child Activities: Mixed Methods Evidence from the United Republic of Tanzania.Innocenti Working Papersno. WP 2020-03, UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, Florence

Podcast Tia Palermo (UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti) on'Cash Plus' for adolescents in Tanzania: How it started, where it's going, and why research matters Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes Tia Palermo (UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti) on'Cash Plus' for adolescents in Tanzania: How it started, where it's going, and why research matters
Report Participant experiences with Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net 2019 Payment Delays Cash Plus Programmes 2019 Participant experiences with Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net 2019 Payment Delays
Brief Tanzania Cash Plus Evaluation Team. Cash Plus: An Adolescent Livelihood, Health and Well-being Intervention as part of Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net Programme. Innocenti Project Brief. UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy. Cash Plus Programmes 2018 Tanzania Cash Plus Evaluation Team. Cash Plus: An Adolescent Livelihood, Health and Well-being Intervention as part of Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net Programme. Innocenti Project Brief. UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence, Italy.
Multimedia Tanzania: Cash Plus Theory of Change Cash Plus Programmes Tanzania: Cash Plus Theory of Change
Brief Ujana Salama: Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions - Midline findings (Swahili Version). Innocenti Research Brief 2020-22 Adolescents 2020

UNICEF Innocenti (2020). Ujana Salama: Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions – Midline findings (English version) (Swahili Version). Innocenti Research Brief 2020-22. UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, Florence, Italy.

Brief Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net Programme (PSSN) and Its Impacts On Youth. Transfer Project Brief 2018-07 Adolescents 2018

Waidler J on behalf of the Tanzania Cash Transfer Evaluation Team. (2018). Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net Programme (PSSN) and Its Impacts On Youth. Transfer Project Brief 2018-07. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Brief Ujana Salama: Cash plus model on youth well-being and safe, healthy transitions. Transfer Project Brief 2018-06 Adolescents 2018

Tanzania Cash Plus Evaluation Team. (2018). Ujana Salama: Cash plus model on youth well-being and safe, healthy transitions. Transfer Project Brief 2018-06. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Brief PSSN impact evaluation: Youth well-being and the transition to adulthood. Transfer Project Brief 2018-05 Adolescents 2018

Prencipe L. (2018). PSSN impact evaluation: Youth well-being and the transition to adulthood. Transfer Project Brief 2018-05. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Brief Evaluating impacts of the PSSN on youth transitions to adulthood in Tanzania. Transfer Project Brief 2018-04 Adolescents 2018

Prencipe L. (2018). Evaluating impacts of the PSSN on youth transitions to adulthood in Tanzania. Transfer Project Brief 2018-04. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Journal Article Perspectives of adolescent and young adults on poverty related stressors: A qualitative study in Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania 2019

Hall B, Garabiles M, de Hoop J, Prencipe L, Pereira A, Palermo T. (2019).Perspectives of adolescent and young adults on poverty related stressors: A qualitative study in Ghana, Malawi, and Tanzania.BMJ Open, 9(10).

Journal Article Enhanced life distress inventory: Development and validation in two African countries Cash Plus Programmes; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being 2020

Palermo T, Hall J. B, & Cirillo C on behalf of the Tanzania PSSN Youth Study Evaluation Team, Tanzania Adolescent Cash Plus Study Team, and Ghana LEAP 1000 Evaluation Team. (2020).Enhanced life distress inventory: Development and validation in two African countries,British Journal of Health Psychology,DOI: 10.1111/bjhp.12448

Working and Position Paper Cash Transfers, Public Works and Child Activities: Mixed Methods Evidence from the United Republic of Tanzania.Innocenti Working Papersno. WP 2020-03, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence 2020 de Hoop J; Gichane M; Groppo V; Simmons Zuilkowski S.(2020).Cash Transfers, Public Works and Child Activities: Mixed Methods Evidence from the United Republic of Tanzania.Innocenti Working Papersno. WP 2020-03, UNICEF Office of Research - Innocenti, Florence
Brief How Do Cash Transfers Affect Child Work and Schooling? Surprising Evidence from Malawi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia Education and Child Labour 2020

UNICEF Innocenti (2020).How Do Cash Transfers Affect Child Work and Schooling? Surprising Evidence from Malawi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia. UNICEF Innocenti, Florence, Italy.

Brief Impact of the United Republic of Tanzania's Productive Social Safety Net on Child Labour and Education Cash Plus Programmes 2020

UNICEF Innocenti (2020).Impact of the United Republic of Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net on Child Labour and Education. UNICEF Innocenti, Florence, Italy.

Brief Ujana Salama: Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions - Midline findings (English version) Adolescents 2020

UNICEF Innocenti (2019). Ujana Salama: Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions – Midline findings. Innocenti Research Brief 2020-22. UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, Florence, Italy.

Journal Article Understanding the linkages between social safety nets and childhood violence: a review of the evidence from low- and middle-income countries Gender and Gender-Based Violence 2017

Peterman A, Neijhoft A, Cook S and Palermo T. (2017). Understanding the linkages between social safety nets and childhood violence: a review of the evidence from low- and middle-income countries. Health Policy and Planning: 1-23.

Working and Position Paper Effects of public policy on child labour: Current knowledge, gaps, and implications for program design Education and Child Labour 2017

Dammert A, de Hoop J, Mvukiyehe E and Rosati F. (2017). Effects of public policy on child labour: Current knowledge, gaps, and implications for program design. Policy Research Working Paper 7999. World Bank, Washington DC.

Brief The broad range of cash transfer impacts in sub-Saharan Africa: Consumption, Human Capital and Productive Activity Adolescents; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being 2014

Davis B and Handa S. (2014). The broad range of cash transfer impacts in sub-Saharan Africa: Consumption, Human Capital and Productive Activity. Transfer Project Research Brief. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Brief The Cost of Social Cash Transfer Programs in sub-Saharan Africa Programme Evaluation and Design 2013

Plavgo I, de Milliano M and Handa S. (2013).The Cost of Social Cash Transfer Programs in sub-Saharan Africa. Transfer Project Research Brief 2013-01. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Brief Evaluating the Impact of Cash Transfer Programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. IPC-UNDP Research Brief Programme Evaluation and Design 2012 Davis B, Gaarder M, Handa S and Yablonski J. (2012). Evaluating the Impact of Cash Transfer Programmes in sub-Saharan Africa. IPC-UNDP Research Brief.
Brief Measurement of interpersonal violence in national social cash transfer evaluations. Transfer Project Research Brief 2016-05 Gender and Gender-Based Violence 2016

Palermo, T.(2016). Measurement of interpersonal violence in national social cash transfer evaluations. Transfer Project Research Brief 2016-05. Chapel Hill, NC: Carolina Population Center, UNC-Chapel Hill.

Journal Article Examination of performance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form 10 among African youth in poor, rural households Adolescents; Health, Nutrition, and Well-Being 2018

Kilburn K, Prencipe L, Hjelm L, Peterman A, Handa S and Palermo T. (2018). Examination of performance of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale Short Form 10 among African youth in poor, rural households. BMC Psychiatry, 18(201).

Tanzania Conditional Cash Transfer (TASAF III/ PSSN): Youth Well-being and the Transition to Adulthood Evaluation

Data Collection
    Years: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
    Sample Size: 1,357 youth (study 1) and 2,458 adolescents (study 2)
    Location: 8 Mainland Districts: Misungwi, Kahama, Kilola, Kisarawe, Handeni, Mbogwe, Itilima, Uyui (study 1), and 4 mainland districts/councils: Rungwe, Busokelo, Mufindi, Mafinga (study 2)
Evaluation Design: Cluster randomized Control Trial
Key Partners/Implementers:

Study 1: UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, REPOA, Tanzania Social Action Fund (TASAF), UNICEF Tanzania

Study 2: UNICEF Office of Research – Innocenti, EDI Global, TASAF, TACAIDS, University of Buffalo, UNICEF Tanzania

Funders:

Study 1: Funding for this evaluation has generously been provided by UNICEF Tanzania, UNICEF ESARO, an Anonymous Donor, and Sida through a grant to UNICEF Office of Research—Innocenti, supporting the Transfer Project.

Study 2: Funding for this pilot and evaluation has been provided by Oak Foundation (#OCAY-16-73) and UNICEF. Additional funding for the evaluation was provided by the UK’s Department of International Development (DFID 203529-102) and the Swedish Development Cooperation Agency (Sida G41102), both through a grant to UNICEF Office of Research—Innocenti supporting the Transfer Project. Additional funding for implementation activities was provided by Irish Aid. Funding for a round of mobile surveys (in 2020) to understand impacts of COVID-19 on adolescent/youth health and economic well-being was funded by UNICEF Tanzania and Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GIZ GmbH under the umbrella of the P4H Health Financing Network. Funding for a fourth round of follow-up data collection (in 2021) is being provided by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office through a grant to UNICEF Office of Research—Innocenti.

Reports

PSSN Youth Baseline Report (2018)

PSSN Youth Endline Report (2018)

Adolescent Cash Plus Baseline Report (2018)

Adolescent Cash Plus Midline Report (2020)

Participant experiences with Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net 2019 Payment Delays (2020)