The ILO established the right to social security and today recommends Social Protection Floors. That move is crucial, says Ebenezer Durojaye. To celebrate 100 years of the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors launched a statement outlining the path towards universal social protection for all. We talked to Ebenezer Durojaye […]

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This side event “Accountability dimension: social protection as a tool for the reduction of inequalities” was organised both to discuss emerging challenges on social protection as a tool for the reduction of inequalities and to look at both conceptual issues and practical solutions.  The presenters explored the accountability dimension in designing and delivering social protection […]

GCSPF at the 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors will participate in the fifty-seventh session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD57). The CSocD57 will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 to 21 February 2019. The Priority Theme […]

Download here the pdf version of this Statement. Thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this conference and to share some thoughts on behalf of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors. The Global Coalition is a network of over 100 civil society organizations, trade unions and think tanks from all continents […]

GCSPF at the 57th Session of the Commission for Social Development Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors will participate in the fifty-seventh session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD57). The CSocD57 will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 11 to 21 February 2019. The Priority Theme […]

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A view from the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors*January 2019 Download the pdf version here. As the International Monetary Fund prepares its new institutional view on how to address social protection in its work with member countries, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) has prepared this note to highlight a number of […]

A basic level of social protection is affordable nearly everywhere "The world does not lack the resources to abolish poverty, it lacks the right priorities. " So said Juan Somavía, former director general of the International Labour Organization (ILO), in 1999. We may have made progress in recent decades, but the world remains a miserable place […]

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Written Statement of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors to the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW63) The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) consists of more than 100 CSOs, NGOs and Trade Unions from all parts of the world, united in their motivation to realize social protection for all. Download the pdf […]

During our last meeting of the core group of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) in Nairobi (15-17 January 2018) a number of national SPF platforms asked for more detailed information on how they can report on SPF implementation to international organizations1. There are three main international organizations or fora to which such […]

The article SDG 1: Mobilize the financial means for social protection systems for all by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors is included at the Report Spotlight on Sustainable Development 2018 Exploring new policy pathways. How to overcome obstacles and contradictions in the implementation of the 2030 Agendaby the Civil Society Reflection Group on the 2030 […]

Social dialogue includes all types of negotiation, consultation and exchange of information between or among representatives of governments, employers and workers on issues of common interest relating to economic and social policy. Social dialogue gives people a voice and a stake in their societies and workplaces. It is, therefore, central to the functioning of the […]

Report on the panel on social protection as a human rights imperative, held on 30 April , 2018 during the 62nd Ordinary Session of the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights (ACHPR), Nouakchott, Mauritania The organisers (the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, South Africa, Initiative for Social and Economic Rights (ISER) and […]

Discussion paper "Sustainably Financing Social Protection Floors" Toward a Permanent Role in National Development Planning and Taxation by Barry Herman, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and Brot für die Welt, April 2018. Executive Summary Social protection systems must be fiscally sustainable so they will provide all residents with adequate social protection in all the challenging situations over […]

By Nicola Wiebe Experts call upon Financing for Development Forum to focus attention on financing social protection. See here the webcast of this side event at the UN Headquarter from 23.4.2018. There can be no doubt: social protection has been recognized as a key instrument to end poverty and to give people access to opportunities […]

The Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape, Initiatives for Socio- economic Rights and the Global Coalition for Social protection Floors in conjunction with the Working Group on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights of the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights cordially invite you to a panel discussion on Social Protection as a […]

Panel session at Civil Society Policy Forum of World Bank/IMF Spring meetings 2018 Financing Universal Social Protection to promote Inclusive Development and Reduce Inequality Organizing partners: Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together) NGO Committee on Financing for Development (NGOsonFfD) International Labour Organization (ILO) Speakers Isabel Ortiz, Director of […]

Side event to the 2018 ECOSOC Forum on Financing for Development This event will take stock of the latest development in financing Universal Social Protection, including Floors, and discuss the responses to the following questions: What is the current situation of social protection financing worldwide? How can governments ensure adequate national fiscal resources to sustainably […]

The African Platform for Social Protection (APSP) has become an important player in the quest for better living conditions on the continent, with growing recognition and policy impact. Co-organiser of the January meeting of the core group of Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors held in Nairobi, Kenya (see ICSW January 2018 newsletter), the APSP […]

Panel session at Civil Society Policy Forum World Bank/IMF Spring meetings 2018 Financing Universal Social Protection to promote inclusive development and reduce inquality This event wishes to offer insights into how international financial institutions and other global initiatives can support universal social protection systems and floors (SDG 1.3): What type of social protection policies and […]

  The side event “Social Protection Floors as Key Tool for Eradicating Poverty: Best Practices and Strategies for the Future” was held last February 2, 2018 in the framework of the 56th Commission for Social Development. The moderator of the event was Peter Bakvis, Director, International Trade Union Confederation, ITUC/Global Unions, Washington Office. The speakers […]

Statement of the GCSPF for the side event of the Global Partnership on Universal Social Protection (USP2030) New York, 31 January 2018 Thank you very much for the opportunity to contribute to this important discussion on behalf of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors. The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors is a network […]

Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors will participate in the fifty-sixth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD56). The CSocD56 will take place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 29 January to 7 February 2018. The Commission is the advisory body responsible for the social development pillar of […]

Universal social protection is crucial to ending poverty and tackling inequalities to leave no one behind. It aims to provide income security and protect people against the risks they face in the different stages of their lives through social assistance, social insurance and labour market interventions. Join us in an open forum to discuss the […]

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) will held a side-event entitled "Social Protection Floors as key tools for eradicating poverty: best practices and strategies for the future" uring the 56th edition of the Commission on Social Development (CSocD). The side-event will take place on Friday 2, 2018, from 4:45pm to 6:00pm, in Conference Room […]

The meeting of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors was held in Nairobi, Kenya last January. The meeting of the core group of the Coalition "Opportunities and challenges in implementing Social Protection Floors", highlighted opportunities and challenges existing in the area of implementing social protection floors and charted the way forward for the activities […]

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, a network of almost 100 NGOs and trade unions organisation worldwide, is happy to announce the publication of The Social Protection Floor Index (SPFI), Update and Country Studies (2017). The Global Coalition for the Social Protection Floor (SPF) developed the Social Protection Floor Index (SPF Index) to indicate the […]

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) presented a statement in the opening session of the 2nd ILO Development Partners Meeting, ILO Global Flagship Programme on Social Protection Floors, that was held in Geneva last 25 October 2017. Download here the pdf version of the Statement. Statement of the GCSPF to the 2nd ILO Development Partners […]

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors (GCSPF) expressed its deep concerns about the report’s findings and the IMF's approach towards social protection in general.  The statement was sent to Ms. Christine Lagarde  (Managing Director of the IMF) and the Executive Directors of the IMF in order to draw their attention on the issue and in the […]

Panel “Financing Universal Social Protection in Developing Countries” A Session at the Civil Society Forum at the Annual Meetings of IMF and World Bank. October 11, 2017 Statement to open session Barry Herman Download here the pdf version. Visit here the report of the session. STATEMENT TO OPEN SESSION I am pleased to moderate this discussion of […]

FINANCING UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PROTECTION IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Notes on a session at the Civil Society Forum IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings Washington, D.C., October 11, 2017 The NGO Committee on Financing for Development, Social Justice in Global Development, Brot für die Welt, and the Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund jointly organized a session on financing universal social […]

A panel on “Financing Universal Social Protection in Developing Countries” was held at the Civil Society Forum at the Annual Meetings of IMF and World Bank Group on October 11, 2017. Rachel Moussié spoke on behalf of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors. Download here the pdf version. Visit here the report of the session. […]

Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors participated in the Session "Financing universal social protection in developing countries".  A session at the Civil Society Forum at the Annual Meetings of IMF and World Bank, that was held last 11 October 2017. You can download here the concept note of the Session. Concept Note […]

Roberto Bissio spoke on behalf of the GCSPF during the side event: “Global Partnership on Universal Social Protection: Ending Poverty by 2030” held on July 10th. "Social Protection is a Human Right. Every right has a right holder and a duty bearer. We know who the right holders are: every human being, particularly those more […]

Gala Díaz Langou spoke on behalf of the GCSPF during the side event: "Universal Social Protection: End poverty and reduce inequality" that was held during the High-level Political Forum 2017. "All children have the right to achieve the full development of their capabilities and potentialities; yet in Argentina, in spite of significant progress, the rights […]

During the High-level Political Forum (HLPF) in New York, the significant majority of countries voluntarily reporting mentioned social protection programmes as an effective instrument to fight against poverty and reduce inequalities. But social protection is more. It can tackle poverty in all its dimensions and provide for education, appropriate health care systems and support a […]

The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) adopted a policy on The Role of Social Work in Social Protection Systems. On this base they encourage their member associations in 126 countries worldwide to engaged as part of civil society in the national social dialogue, social policy, development, implementation, and monitoring of SPFs. Download the pdf […]

The meeting of the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development in 2017 convened under the auspices of the Economic and Social Council, will be held from Monday, 10 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2017; including the three-day ministerial meeting of the forum from Monday, 17 July, to Wednesday, 19 July 2017. The theme will be […]

The research paper "Starting strong. Implementation of the social SDGs in Latin America" was commissioned as part of the series ‘Starting Strong: the first 1000 days of the SDGs’. The paper identifies key actions toward addressing the unfinished business of the MDGs and how to reach those who are furthest behind in relation to the […]

Members of the GCSPF participated in the ILO’s Global Flagship Programme on Building Social Protection Floors for All, Western and Central African tripartite and development partners networking meeting on implementing social protection floors in the 2030 Agenda that was held in Dakar, Senegal, from 23 to 25 May 2017. This workshop contributes to ILO’s efforts […]

A side event on financing social protection floors (SPFs) was held on Monday 22 May, 2017, on the occasion of the Second Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Forum on financing for development follow-up (FfD forum) which took place at the UN in New York from 22 to 25 May 2017. The event was entitled "Financing […]

Social protection is crucial to build resilience and empower people in tough economic times. It can also spur inclusive growth and productivity in good times if adequate public financing is provided throughout the economic cycle. This event discussed concrete experiences and options to finance fiscally sustainable social protection systems, including floors, in prosperous and adverse […]

Members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors submitted comments on the draft General Comment of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (CESCR) on Business activities and human rights. The meeting was held in Geneva, Switzerland on February 2017. In the document the crucial role of business on decent work and the financing of […]

The members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors presented a statement at the fifty-fifth session of the Commission for Social Development (CSocD55) held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 1 to 10 February 2017. Here you can download the full version of the statement written by the Global Coalition for Social […]

The Civil Society Forum held to allow civil society participants to engage at the 55th Session of the Commission for Social Development (1-10 February, 2017 at UNHQ in New York) as well as in ongoing discussions related to implementation of social protection, including floors, at national and local levels. The forum was planned by the […]

The meeting "Social Protection and Sustainable Development Goals: A Joint Agenda" brought together Core Group members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors and Latin American social protection experts for three days in Buenos Aires. The exchange with the experts over the first two days resulted in technical and methodological recommendations as to how […]

The members of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors are convinced that, with global and regional support that social protection floors must be implemented in particular at the  national and the local level. They must be implemented in all countries, in least ‐ developed and developing countries, in landlocked countries, in island countries, in […]

The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, a network of almost 90 NGOs and trade unions organisation worldwide, is happy to announce the publication of The Social Protection Floor Index (SPFI), Monitoring National Social Protection Policy Implementation. The Index was developed by a group of master students from the Maastricht Graduate School of Governance under the […]

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES), The Africa Platform for Social Protection and SOLIDAR have published eight country reports with the result of their Social Protection Monitor in Africa and the Carribbean. The main question they tackle is, 'How to mainstream social protection in the European Development Fund's (EDF) National Inidcative Programmes (NIPs)? The Agenda 2030 as well […]

The Programme on Women’s Economic Social Cultural Rights (PWESCR), which is a founding member of the Global Coalition of Social Protection Floors, with support from Bread for the World convened a three-day meeting of the Core Group members of the Coalition, especially from the global South in New Delhi, India. Representatives of Civil Society Organisations […]

What are the most important elements to be considered in terms of ILO policy regarding the extension of social protection to the rural economy? Here are some elements: Building a comprehensive framework for the rural economy: linking social protection policies and strategies for the rural economy with other areas of intervention; Provision of social protection […]

How to link SPF with SDGs and bring an effective human rights monitoring mechanisms to the process ensuring no one is left behind? How do we develop international enabling actions for implementation of SDGs at national levels? What role can the Global Coalition play at regional and national levels? To find answers to these questions, […]

HelpAge International* has developed a pensions calculator to work out the cost of universal pensions in 175 countries across the globe. Pick a country, age of eligibility, benefit level and discover how much this would cost! *HelpAge International is member of the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors.  

The idea of a social protection floor (SPF) is now firmly established on the global development agenda. Defined as a set of minimum guarantees, including basic income security for children, working-age adults, older people and people with disabilities, as well as essential health care for all, SPFs hold promise for women, who are over-represented among […]

The United Nations has adopted 17 sustainable development goals for eliminating poverty and building a more resilient planet. One of those goals includes providing universal health coverage. Universal health coverage improves how health care is financed and delivered – so it is more accessible, more equitable and more effective. Discover the work of the Global Coalition […]

Officially launched in September 2015, the Social Protection and Human Rights Platform is designed to provide expert legal and development resources on how to better align social protection and human rights. It is targeted at policy makers, development practitioners and human rights advocates with the intention of strengthening a growing social protection community that cuts across […]

Thursday 22 October 2015 | 09:30 – 13:00 Venue: European Parliament, Brussels Lunch will be provided Languages: English and French Organized by the Cercle de Coopération des ONG de Développement, Brot für die Welt, OGB-L Solidarité Syndicale, Solidarité Socialiste, FOS, CNCD 11.11.11 and SOLIDAR, the roundtable discussion “Social Protection for All: Putting SDGs Commitments into […]

The International Disability Alliance and the Global Coalition for Social Social Protection Floors organized a side-event at the official meeting of the UN Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities on 3 September 2015 in Geneva, Switzerland. The session aimed at informing the Committee members on current processes and developments in the field of SPF. It further delineated […]

For two days, specialist from all parts of the world discussed different aspects and developments in the field of social protection for people with disabilities. The workshop - second of this kind this year - was organized in close collaboration between the International Labour Organization and the International Disability Alliance with the aim of: 1) […]

On June 30th, the World Bank Group and the ILO launched a joint mission and plan of action:  Universal social protection to ensure that no one is left behind. Universal coverage and access to social protection are central to ending poverty and boosting shared prosperity, the World Bank Group's twin goals by 2030. Universal social […]

A newly established web platform on Social Protection and Human Rights (www.socialprotection-humanrights.org) is now available: it brings together various resources relevant to a rights-based approach to social protection, including expert commentaries, reports and other publications, as well as relevant legal instruments and legal cases at the international, regional and domestic level. While the fields of social […]

In the next 2 years, a broad coalition of NGOs, Trade Union, Mutual Health Organizations, will lead an advocacy and awareness raising campaign to make universal and comprehensive social protection a policy priority for national governments and the international community. Read more about the campaign here.

In the framework of the negotiations on Financing for Development, the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors has released its proposal for the set up of Global Fund for Social Protection Floors (GFSPFs): a solidarity based financing mechanism to help countries design, implement and, to a limited extent, finance national floors of social protection. While not […]

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) has recently launched (April 2015) the Civil Society Guide for National Social Protection Floors (SPFs). The Guide aims at supporting civil society organizations to take over the concept of SPFs, to get a better understanding of their role and to give orientation for getting engaged in SPFs advocacy and monitoring work. The Guide comes at […]

How can social protection floors contribute to the realization of economic, social and cultural rights? And how can better understanding of the norms and principles of human rights improve the design of social protection floors? This side event aims to enhance awareness of and adherence to social security as a human right, and improve understanding […]

The World Social Forum will take place from 24 till 28 March 2015 in Tunis. The World Social Forum is an open meeting place where social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism come together to pursue their thinking, […]

Social security is a human right. More than 60 years ago, article 22 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights declared ‘Everyone, as a member of society, has the right to social security’. Nevertheless, the everyday life of billions of people around the world, from North to South and from East to West, shows that […]

From 4 till 6 November 2014 the UNIVERSAL SOCIAL PROTECTION ADVOCACY TOUR took place. The tour was organised by the Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, SOLIDAR, Brot für die Welt and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung with the participation, among others, of the Arab NGO Network for Development (Lebanon), the Phoenix Center (Jordan), the African Platform for […]

21 November 2014, side-event at the official meeting of the Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, Palais Wilson, Geneva, Switzerland. The Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors appeals to the members of the CESCR to issue a statement recognizing the ILO's Social Protection Floors Recommendation 202 as instrumental to the realization of the right to social security.

04 November 2014, Brussels The Tour targeted the European Union (EU) institutions, to seek their support for the inclusion of universal social protection systems and floors in the post-2015 development framework. The Tour included a public event at the European Parliament and closed doors meetings with Brussels based CSOs, EU institutions and EU Governments Representatives.

06 March 2014, Human Rights Council, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland "Global Coalition for Social Protection Floors, speaking via a video message, said the right to social security was a key instrument to the realization of all human rights with dignity, because the world today was an unfair, unequal, insecure and unhealthy place for the […]