Enabling financial inclusion and empowerment of disadvantaged communities by generating systems-level change in the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes
COUNTRY: India
PARTNER: UNCDF
AREA OF EXPERTISE: Digital & Financial Inclusion, Public Policy
YEAR: 2018 – Present
PROBLEM STATEMENT
Swaniti conducted quantitative study, field visits and key informant interviews with relevant departments, to identify gaps and leaks in the system. Four of the biggest problems which could be solved with immediate intervention were:
Lack of technological support.
Limited awareness and adequate training of local staff.
Low biometric card enrollments in the selected geography, leading to low rates of enrollment
Difficult terrains that resulted in hill-valley disparity and low enrolment rates.
OUR APPROACH
Our first intervention was to collect data to understand the impediments and issues through primary surveys and reaching out to the respective departments to conduct a process map. The second part of the intervention, post the data collection, was to bring together partners and ensure on ground project implementation. This was further supported by engagements with the community to identify gaps in last mile delivery and identifying strategies to address these challenges.
Swaniti then ideated action plans in coordination with the administration for addressing the gaps identified. There were 3 core implementation activities:
1. After understanding the data and identifying gaps, Swaniti advised the immediate adoption of technologies for welfare programmes/schemes in both states.
2. Assisted in consolidation of inputs in an IEC framework to enable swifter uptake and reduce rates of application rejection.
Currently, we are collaborating with the government to decentralize the data entry activities and to appoint district level officers who would carry out scheme data entry and documentation.
IMPACT
The engagement has reduced the time taken for payments and enrolments which is presumed to increase enrolment in the coming years, leading to increased access of government benefits to the beneficiaries in the disadvantaged communities.