Screen 1 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting LEARNING OBJECTIVES Explain the key principles of targeting. Understand the steps of the targeting process. Understand the suitability of different targeting methods for given situations and target groups. Recognize the costs and benefits of targeting.

Screen 2 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting INTRODUCTION This presentation introduces the basic principles of targeting within the food security context. Targeting is the practical process of defining, identifying and reaching the intended recipients of assistance

Screen 3 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting WHAT IS TARGETING? What is Targeting? The analysis of who needs assistance, where, when and why. Decisions about what kind of aid is needed (and how much). How it should be delivered and how the beneficiaries will be identified. All these affect the targeting bottom line of “who gets what”, which in turn affects the programme’s impact.

Screen 4 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting Which are good reasons for targeting? WHY IS TARGETING IMPORTANT? To ensure aid is distributed according to need To ensure resources are received by the people donors intended them for To avoid disrupting local economies To enhance the programme’s impact on food security To avoid wasting scarce resources To guard against diversion of resources through corruption

Screen 5 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting Before an intervention Through vulnerability analysis, needs assessment, and response planning. Information systems have an important role to play in two key phases: WHY IS TARGETING IMPORTANT? During and after an intervention Through monitoring and evaluation. Good feedback information during an operation can be very important in fine-tuning or correcting the targeting.

Screen 6 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING The process of targeting can be broken down into three key steps: REACHING DEFINING TARGETING PROCESS

Screen 7 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting Who is a particular FS programme intended to help? Where should the benefits be directed in order to achieve the programme’s objectives? DEFINING TARGET GROUPS DEFINING IDENTIFYING REACHING Vulnerability Analysis should include a diagnosis of why people are vulnerable, and what they are vulnerable to. Needs Assessments should identify what kind of assistance is needed, where, when and how much.

Screen 8 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting DEFINING TARGET GROUPS Type of vulnerability Possible target group definitions ECONOMIC vulnerability  Poor areas / groups/ households/ individuals  People suffering food insecurity because of inadequate incomes, livelihoods, market access or entitlements  Poorest x% of a population  People in specified livelihoods or occupations (locally defined) PHYSIOLOGICAL vulnerability  Children under five years old  Malnourished children  Groups with specific nutritional needs (e.g. the elderly; sick people; pregnant and breast-feeding women) SOCIAL vulnerability  Unsupported older people, widows or orphans  People with disabilities  Socially excluded individuals or households POLITICAL vulnerability  Refugees or displaced people  Communities exposed to violence or marginalization

Screen 9 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting LEVELS OF TARGETING Geographical Targeting identifies selected areas to receive assistance. Group Targeting identifies sections of the population, usually within geographically targeted areas. Household Targeting takes the household as the smallest social and economic unit, and provides resources to be shared among household members. Individual Targeting is most often applied to health and nutritional programmes that screen beneficiaries through direct measurement or medical referral.

Screen 10 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting The definition of the target group will logically suggest which kind of indicators are appropriate. IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – CHOOSING INDICATORS IDENTIFYING REACHING DEFINING Nutritional indicators Socio-economic indicators Demographic indicators Meteorological and production indicators

Screen 11 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – CHOOSING INDICATORS Categorical indicators - they are basically Yes / No questions. For example, a person’s gender is either male or female. Continuous indicators – a whole range of values is possible. For example, income; weight; number of livestock owned; kg of grain produced; age.

Screen 12 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting VULNERABILITY’S CRITICAL DIMENSIONS: RISKSIDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING IDENTIFYING DEFINING REACHING Administrative targeting - project or government staff Community-based targeting - neighbors or representatives Self-targeting - their own choice Market-based targeting - market conditions How will our indicators be applied? How will we ensure that the assistance actually reaches the intended beneficiaries? TARGETING METHODS

Screen 13 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING Administrative Targeting Beneficiaries are selected by outsiders (such as project managers or government officials), using objective, measurable and standardized criteria. This is the type of approach used in means-tested welfare systems in developed countries.

Screen 14 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING Community-based Targeting Beneficiaries households or individuals are selected by members of the community. Targeting decisions may be made by established leaders, by specially elected committees, or by the whole community in an open meeting. This method is widely used in both development and relief programmes.

Screen 15 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING Self-Targeting The beneficiaries themselves decide whether or not to participate in a programme, depending on the benefits offered and the costs involved. Using this type of approach needs careful analysis to set the right costs and benefits.

Screen 16 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING Marked-based Targeting There is no direct selection of beneficiaries. Instead, interventions are made in the market to influence the supply or demand of the food that the target group buy, or the commodities they sell. Like self-targeting, market-based targeting relies on good analysis of the market situation of the intended target group.

Screen 17 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting IDENTIFYING TARGET GROUPS – METHODS OF TARGETING Beneficiaries are identified as those attending or resident in schools, hospitals, clinics or orphanages. Here the targeting effect depends entirely on who attends those particular institutions, in the local context. Another targeting method often used in food security contexts is Institutional Targeting.

Screen 18 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF TARGETING A targeting system must take account of the existing governance and power structures in beneficiary countries Information systems can contribute to effective targeting design by analysing the social and political context.

Screen 19 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF TARGETING What is the position of the intended target groups, in terms of social hierarchy and power structures? Do they have any voice in local decision-making? Are they marginalised? Are they regarded by local decision-makers as full members of the community and entitled to assistance? Gender, ethnicity, health status, occupation and displacement are examples of factors that can make target group members marginalised or disadvantaged. How are decisions made in this community, and who by? What is the capacity of local government or community institutions, and who do they represent? Do they have experience of targeting? How successful was this experience? Do the suggested target group definitions fit with local social structures? The “political capital” of target groups The existing social organisation and power structures

Screen 20 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF TARGETING Compromises must sometimes be made between the technically ideal targeting solution and political realities. It is better to have a “good enough” workable targeting system than a perfect one that cannot be implemented. Transparency and accountability should be built into the design of targeting systems.

Screen 21 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF TARGETING When designing or evaluating a targeting system, it is important to weigh up costs and benefits. Factors to be considered: ‘Political’ costs Costs to local decision-makers Costs to beneficiaries Costs to implementing agency Resource savings Enhanced Impact Increased aid per beneficiary COSTS BENEFITS

Screen 22 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting COSTS AND BENEFITS NO YES Is it worth targeting in this situation? Weigh up the costs and benefits of DIFFERENT TARGETING OPTIONS Untargeted / blanket programme Weigh up the costs and benefits of TARGETING versus NO TARGETING 4321 Costs and benefits should be weighed: when deciding whether or not to target, and when choosing between targeting methods.

Screen 23 of 23 Targeting Introduction to Targeting SUMMARY Targeting is the whole string of decisions and actions that determine who gets what from a food security programme. Its purpose is to concentrate resources on the most vulnerable or food-insecure people, in order to achieve the best possible impact with limited resources. Designing a targeting system involves three key steps: Define the target groups – based on an analysis of the context, the nature of the problem, the causes of vulnerability and the needs of different groups. Identify the target groups – select valid, feasible indicators which match the target group definitions and which will select the intended beneficiaries. Reach the target groups - select an appropriate targeting method (or a combination of methods). The main categories of targeting method are administrative, community, self- targeting and market-based. In all three steps, keep in mind: the local context – Target group definitions and indicators cannot just be taken off the peg: check that they fit the situation; and “political” factors (power structures and interest groups) which may affect who is included and who is excluded. Weigh up the costs and benefits - when deciding whether to target or not, and when choosing between different targeting options.