Improved Livelihoods Through Public Works
Basic Information
Country
Geographic area
Programme type
Programme Details
Programme objectives
To create temporary jobs as a means of income transfer and to build economic infrastructure.
World Bank. n.d. MASAF PWP Handbook. Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11
November 2015. <http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSF/Resources/395669-
1124228420001/1563161-1133809492651/MASAF_PWP_Handbook.pdf>.
Programme components
The public works programme is part of the broader Malawi Social Action Fund (MASAF) programme.
Chirwa, E.W. et al. 2004.The Evaluation of the Improving Livelihoods Through Public
Works Programme (ILTPWP). Zomba: Wadonda Consult. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www.eldis.org/vfile/upload/1/document/1105/16%20The_evaluation_of_the_improving
_livelihoods_through_public_works_programme.pdf>.
Start date
1995
July 1995 (pilot phase); July 1996 (national programme). Reference: Chirwa, E.W. et al. 2004.The Evaluation of the Improving Livelihoods Through Public
Works Programme (ILTPWP). Zomba: Wadonda Consult. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www.eldis.org/vfile/upload/1/document/1105/16%20The_evaluation_of_the_improving
_livelihoods_through_public_works_programme.pdf>.
Coverage
Since 1995, 3.4 million households have been reached with cash transfers;
of these, 2.2 million households were reached over nine public works cycles
(MASAF 3 APLII), averaging 434,000 beneficiary households per cycle,
which is 15 per cent of all households nationwide (2015).
World Bank. 2015. Implementation Completion and Results Report (IDA-44830 IDA-47880 I
DA-51420 IDA-H7940). Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2015/03/31/
000477144_20150331144321/Rendered/PDF/ICR32210P1104460Box385455B00OUO090.pdf>.
Programme expenditure
The Community Livelihoods Support Fund had a total budget of USD97.6
million (MASAF 1 to MASAF 3, i.e. 1995–2014), with the largest allocation
under the MASAF 3 Programme (2003–2013) amounting to USD80.9 million.
Currently, the MASAF 4 Programme (effective September 2014) is under
way with a total budget allocation of USD74.2million.
Targeting and eligiblity
Targeting methods
Community-Based Targeting
World Bank. n.d. MASAF PWP Handbook. Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11
November 2015. <http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTSF/Resources/395669-
1124228420001/1563161-1133809492651/MASAF_PWP_Handbook.pdf>.
Targeted areas
Nationwide; resource allocation to specific districts uses a formula
weighted by the following parameters: population (50 per cent),
food insecurity (10 per cent) population below the poverty line
(20 per cent) and vulnerability (20 per cent).
Target groups
Ultra-poor households
Eligibility criteria
District selection follows established criteria on population, poverty rates and measures of vulnerability
Beegle, K. et al. 2012. “‘The Role of Public Works Program in Enhancing Food Security:
The Malawi Social Action Fund.” Paper presented at the 7th IZA/World Bank Conference:
‘Employment and Development’, 25 May. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www.iza.org/conference_files/worldb2012/goldberg_j5995.pdf>.
Coverage and other information
Type of benefits
Cash
Amount of benefits
Initially the daily wage rate was MWK200, but due to external shocks
(inflation and devaluation of the kwacha) it has been increasing relative
to the minimum wage. The current wage rate (2016) stands at MK600 per day.
World Bank. 2015. Implementation Completion and Results Report (IDA-44830 IDA-47880 I
DA-51420 IDA-H7940). Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2015/03/31/
000477144_20150331144321/Rendered/PDF/ICR32210P1104460Box385455B00OUO090.pdf>.
Payment/delivery frequency
Lump sum wage for 12 days paid within two weeks after completion of works
Benefit delivery mechanism
Manual system of cash payments at designated
pay points within beneficiary communities.
Beegle, K. et al. 2012. “‘The Role of Public Works Program in Enhancing Food Security:
The Malawi Social Action Fund.” Paper presented at the 7th IZA/World Bank Conference:
‘Employment and Development’, 25 May. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www.iza.org/conference_files/worldb2012/goldberg_j5995.pdf>.
Minimum and maximum duration of benefits (if any)
Initially the number of eligible days per year was 12, but due to
external shocks the number of eligible days increased to 48 per year.
World Bank. 2015. Implementation Completion and Results Report (IDA-44830 IDA-47880 I
DA-51420 IDA-H7940). Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2015/03/31/
000477144_20150331144321/Rendered/PDF/ICR32210P1104460Box385455B00OUO090.pdf>.
Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and frequency
Missions comprising around 30 people visit the 35 local authorities’ districts
every three months and produce a report. A number of technical studies have
been implemented to assess the extent to which intended outcomes have been
achieved. A basic Management Information System (MIS) is in place, though
local inputs are not fully automated due to lack of communications infrastructure.
World Bank. 2015. Implementation Completion and Results Report (IDA-44830 IDA-47880 I
DA-51420 IDA-H7940). Washington, DC: World Bank. Accessed 11 November 2015.
<http://www-wds.worldbank.org/external/default/WDSContentServer/WDSP/IB/2015/03/31/
000477144_20150331144321/Rendered/PDF/ICR32210P1104460Box385455B00OUO090.pdf>.
