Social protection remains a cornerstone of sustainable development. Despite decades of reforms and notable progress, coverage in many low- and middle-income countries remains limited. The effectiveness of social protection systems continues to be constrained by persistent challenges such as inadequate financing, incomplete registration, inefficient benefit delivery, and weak exit mechanisms.

Digitalisation offers promising opportunities to strengthen both access to social protection and the quality of service delivery. It can lower administrative costs, extend coverage to remote populations, and enhance targeting and responsiveness. However, without careful design, digital divides risk widening existing inequalities—for instance, between rural and urban areas or across genders, as women in many contexts have less access to digital tools and connectivity. Furthermore, gaps in data protection and privacy safeguards can undermine user trust and threaten effective implementation.

Political-economy dynamics are equally important. Digital transparency may disrupt entrenched power relations, potentially provoking resistance from local actors who benefit from opaque or informal distribution systems.

This session invites both conceptual and empirical contributions that explore the diverse and complex impacts of digitalisation on social protection systems, including positive outcomes and unintended consequences. Relevant topics may include, but are not limited to, studies on equity and inclusion, governance and political-economy dynamics, data protection and privacy, and innovative policy responses to ensure that digital transformation contributes to inclusive, fair, and resilient social protection.

This panel is organised by the EADI Working Group on "Social Protection"