Approaches to improving the delivery of social services in difficult environments

This working paper, produced by the Poverty Reduction in Difficult Environments Team in the UK Department for International Development, explores the challenges of service delivery in difficult environments (SDDE) for external actors. It presents reasons for donors to be involved in SDDE, including meeting Millennium Development Goal targets; as a catalyst for longer-term change that benefits the poor; and as a way of addressing the structural causes of conflict. The main challenges in supporting SDDE include extremely weak state capacity, government unwillingness to engage in pro-poor service delivery, and obstacles to access and participation for the poor.

The paper argues that the international community should emphasise service delivery as a key entry point to further development in difficult environments. Difficult environments typically require agencies to employ a mix of approaches and instruments. Considering ways to increase access to services while systems are being built, the paper suggests the use of a non-state mechanism such as the United Nations to co-ordinate donors, and to manage and monitor both state and non-state providers. Another promising approach is to work through local structures to move resources down to community level, stimulate demand for services, monitor service providers, and promote positive political and social change. [adapted from authors]