LASA/EANLAS: Rethinking Trans-Pacific Ties: Asia and Latin America

The Structural Design of Conditional Cash Transfers: Colombia, India and the USA Compared.

• In Event: Comparative Social Policy between Asia and LAC

Abstract

In recent years, CCTs have become progressively popular in low to middle-income countries, although a recent attempt has been made to replicate this type of programme in the U.S. Yet, the
potential of CCTs to perform well under different settings and to address a broader range of challenges is not clear. Thus, the aim of this paper is to identify the major differences in the structural design and outcomes of CCTs in three areas of the world. The study looks at differences in the objectives, targeting mechanisms, incentives, conditionalities, cash transfer systems and outcomes of Colombia’s Más Familias en Acción, India’s Janani Suraksha Yojana - although
reference is made to other Indian CCTs- and the U.S. plan Family Rewards. Differences between selected CCTs were found not only in terms of their objectives and cultural underpinnings, but
also in their targeting effectiveness and ability to monitor compliance. These limitations were markedly present in the case of the implementation of CCTs in India where undue political
interference also represents an issue of concern for the proper operation and evaluation of these programmes. Yet, despite their differences in structural design, the observed CCTs were able to
deliver several benefits to targeted populations. The need for strong programme governance emerges as the main policy implication of this study.

Author

• Augusto De Venanzi, Purdue University Fort Wayne