How to mainstream social protection in the European Development Fund’s (EDF) National Indicative Programmes (NIPs). Civil Society in Kenya tells us how

The EU, through its development cooperation policy and programmes, is greatly contributing to the achievement of decent work and social protection for all.

The forthcoming review of the National Indicative Programmes (NIPs) - negotiated in the framework of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF) - and the Cotonou Partnership Agreement can be an opportunity to further pursue the realisation of the right to decent work and social protection for all and better align the EDF programmes with the SDG Agenda 2030 spirit: "We are committed to ending poverty in all its forms and dimensions, including by eradicating extreme poverty by 2030. All people must enjoy a basic standard of living, including through social protection systems." (Agenda 2030, paragraph 24).

Through the Social Protection Monitor, developed together with SOLIDAR members, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the African Platform for Social Protection (APSP), we have consulted our partners in the field who have told us how this can be done.

Starting from 19 February – to mark the World Day of Social Justice (20 February) - the Social Protection Monitor’s country reports will be published weekly. This week Kenya will be in the spotlight...

How EU programmes could help achieve social protection and decent work.
Our Members and Partners in Kenya tell us how

• There should a stronger focus on increasing opportunities in the labour market and providing appropriate skills training, especially for young people who occupy a large proportion of the unemployed.
• The EU should strengthen its engagement and structured dialogue with in-country civil society organisations. A space for civil society to work with the EU should be developed ensuring that all voices are heard, particularly those at the grassroots, thus avoiding elite capture.
• The EU should work with civil society organisations to ensure citizens are informed about their right to social protection as well as about existing programmes, and to increase demand for accountability from decision-makers and service providers.
• Support should be given to the further development of the financing plan for social protection and ensure that concrete steps are taken to ensure adequate funding. A potential source of revenue could be taxation, particularly of the extractive industries.