The benefits and challenges of cash transfer programmes in Greece, with a focus on protection

Abstract

Abstract Introduction This qualitative study evaluates cash transfer programmes (CTPs) in forcibly displaced populations, specifically in Greece. There is a focus on protection, encompassing health, gender, child protection and disability. The Greece Cash Alliance, run by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), currently supports 63,853 individuals with cash via a pre-paid card. This study provides insight into challenges encountered by implementers of cash programmes in Greece, and the potential protection issues faced with the changing climate of the cash programme in Greece. Methods A literature review of academic and grey literature and semi-structured key informant interviews with stakeholders including Non-Governmental Organisation and United Nations agency staff were performed. Key informants were identified through purposive sampling. An inductive thematic approach was taken in analysis. Results Main emerging themes included the benefits and challenges of CTPs and their role in protection. Challenges included the mobile, heterogenous population and benefits included economic development in Greece and restored choice to beneficiaries. With regards to protection, informants reported a positive impact through allowing refugees to meet their basic needs and prioritise other needs and CTPs providing consistent access to refugees which could allow identification of protection risks. However, protection was not considered in the design of all CTPs. Conclusions Due to the multi-sectoral nature of the response, there is no standard integration of protection into cash programmes. Cash programming offers unique, regular contact with beneficiaries and chances to identify protection risks that are not always utilised due to minimal staff training in protection. Cash assistance in Greece allows people to meet their basic needs and gives people space and funds to prioritise other needs such as health and education, inherently improving their protection status. Key messages With cash assistance growing in popularity in humanitarian programming, consideration of protection is important as it can improve the health, safety and dignity of beneficiaries. In Greece the cash programme was only designed to meet basic needs but broader effects on protection were seen.