Tanzania
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brief | Stawisha Maisha Baseline Research Brief, 2024 | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Poverty Reduction and Food Security; Programme Evaluation and Design; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2024 | N/A |
| Blog | Ujana Salama: mradi wa nyongeza ya fedha (cash plus) unaohusu ustawi na mbadiliko salama kwa bijana--matokeo ya tathimini ya kati | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Programme Evaluation and Design; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2022 | N/A |
| Brief | Ujana Salama: Cash Plus Model on Youth Well-Being and Safe, Healthy Transitions--Round 3 Findings | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Programme Evaluation and Design; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2023 | N/A |
| Brief | Ujana Salama: Mpango wa Nyogza ya Ruzuku Unaohusu Mabadiliko Salama kutoka Ujanani hadi Utu Uzima wenye Afya na Ustawi, Matokeo ya Awamu ya 4 | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Poverty Reduction and Food Security; Programme Evaluation and Design; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2024 | N/A |
| Brief | Ujana Salama: A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood, Round 4 Findings (English) | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2024 | N/A |
| 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: mpango wa nyongeza ya fedha (cash plus) unaohusu ustawi na mbadiliko salama kwa vijana--matokeo ya mzunguko wa3 tathimini | Adolescents; Cash Plus Programmes; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2023 | |
| 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). |
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| 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; Cash Plus Programmes; Resilience and Productive Impacts | 2022 | 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 Youth Study of the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) Impact Evaluation (2015-2017), Baseline 2015
Tanzania Youth Study of the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) Impact Evaluation (2015-2017), Endline 2017
Ujana Salama: A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood (2017-2021), Wave 1 Baseline 2017
Ujana Salama: A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood (2017-2021), Wave 3
Ujana Salama: A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood (2017-2021), Wave 2 Midline 2018
Stawisha Maisha Evaluation, Baseline 2023
Tanzania Youth Study of the Productive Social Safety Net (PSSN) Impact Evaluation (2015-2017)
| Data Collection | |
| Years: | 2015-2017 |
| Sample Size: | 1,397 youth across 102 villages |
| Location: | 8 districts: Handeni, Kisarawe, Kilosa, Itilima, Kahama, Mbogwe, Uyui, and Misungwi |
| Evaluation Design: | cluster randomized control trial |
| Key Partners/Implementers: | Implemented by Government (Tanzania Social Action Fund) |
| Funders: | Sida DFID UNICEF Anonymous Donor |
| Reports | |
Ujana Salama: A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood (2017-2021)
| Data Collection | |
| Years: | 2017-2021 |
| Sample Size: | 2,191 youth across 130 villages |
| Location: | two regions (Iringa and Mbeya) |
| Evaluation Design: | cluster randomized control trial |
| Key Partners/Implementers: | Implemented by Government (Tanzania Social Action Fund) with technical assistance from UNICEF |
| Funders: | Oak Foundation, FCDO, Sida, Irish Aid, UNICEF |
| Reports |
Participant experiences with Tanzania’s Productive Social Safety Net 2019 Payment Delays March 2020 A Cash Plus Model for Safe Transitions to a Healthy and Productive Adulthood: Round 3 Report |
Stawisha Maisha (Nourishing Life) Impact Evaluation (2023-2026)
| Data Collection | |
| Years: | 2023-2026 |
| Sample Size: | 2,256 households across 150 villages |
| Location: | three regions (Rukwa, Ruvuma, and Geita) |
| Evaluation Design: | cluster randomized controlled trial |
| Key Partners/Implementers: | Implemented by Government (Tanzania Social Action Fund) with technical assistance from UNICEF |
| Funders: | UNICEF is funding the evaluation |
| Reports |
Stawisha Maisha (Nourishing Life) Impact Evaluation, baseline report |