New Momentum to Build Social Protection Capacities in the Arab Region

New training modules support governments in the Middle East and North African region to build better-connected social protection systems that effectively respond to shocks, reach more people and protect vulnerable populations

The International Labour Organization (ILO) and partner UN agencies are scaling up support to strengthen social protection systems in Arab countries across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region in response to growing pressures from conflict, displacement, economic instability and climate shocks.

Through newly developed and updated training modules, the initiative aims to support governments in building social protection systems that are better connected and able to respond effectively to shocks, which would expand coverage, improve adequacy of benefits and better protect vulnerable and historically excluded groups in times of crisis and beyond. The new modules were developed under TRANSFORM in the Arab region, an initiative focused on social protection. It is co-chaired by ILO and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and further supported by the World Food Programme (WFP), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA). The initiative strengthens skills at national and subnational levels through a cohort of Arabic speaking master trainers, using a practical and hands-on learning methodology.

New Integrated Social Protection Module

One of the new modules is ‘Extending Coverage and Improving Protection through Integrated Social Protection Systems’, piloted by TRANSFORM in Tunis, Tunisia, in May 2025. The new module was developed by TRANSFORM member agencies ILO, UNICEF and the global network Women in Informal Employment: Globalizing and Organizing (WIEGO), with support from the multi-partner development initiative Sustaining and Accelerating Access to Responsible and Inclusive Social Protection (STAAR).

The module focuses on how different parts of social protection systems can work better together. It encourages participants to reflect on how different types of programmes, institutions, data systems and services can be more closely linked. This coordination is not presented as an end in itself, rather as a means to improve social protection coverage, adequacy and responsiveness, especially for those who have been historically excluded or underserved. The module also piloted an immersive methodology, through which course participants understand the real-life challenges of marginalised groups through role-play and realistic scenarios, adapted to the different regional contexts.

An Updated Shock-Responsive Social Protection Approach

Another key element of the newly developed content is the significantly revised 'Shock-Responsive Social Protection (SRSP)' module, which was successfully piloted in Amman, Jordan, in November 2025. The pilot was jointly organized by WFP, UNICEF and ILO, with funding from STAAR, and delivered under the framework of the 'TRANSFORM in the Arab region initiative'.

The revised SRSP module responds to the increasingly complex and protracted nature of shocks affecting the region. Building on TRANSFORM’s existing curriculum, the updated module expands how shock-responsive social protection systems are applied to better reflect current realities, including forced displacement, conflict and fragility, and climate change.

The November pilot brought together practitioners and experts from the Jordanian Government, UN agencies and TRANSFORM Master Trainers for an intensive four-day training workshop. Participants worked with updated content that explores how social protection systems can prepare in advance for crises, building economic security and inclusive responses in contexts of displacement, climate stress and conflict. Interactive sessions combined technical inputs with case studies, group work and simulations, enabling participants to learn from each other and apply ideas in practice. 

The revision was jointly led by UNICEF, WFP and ILO, ensuring that the module not only reflects the latest global frameworks and evidence, but also remains grounded in the lived realities and policy challenges of the MENA region.

The newly developed and updated modules mark an important milestone for TRANSFORM as it continues to adapt its curriculum to emerging regional priorities. Together, they reinforce TRANSFORM’s commitment to supporting governments and partners in designing and delivering inclusive, robust and connected social protection systems.

This story was adapted from an article originally published by ILO.