PRACTICAL APPLICATION OF DIGITAL SERVICES IN SOCIAL PROTECTION ACROSS REGIONS
Keywords:
digital social protection, regional implementation, subnational service delivery, digital social services, social registry, management information systems (MIS/SPIS), government-to-person (G2P) payments, territorial disparities, institutional capacityAbstract
The rapid expansion of digital technologies has significantly
transformed social protection systems, particularly in the way social services are
delivered and accessed at the subnational level. In many countries, the practical
application of digital social protection services varies considerably across regions due
to differences in institutional capacity, digital infrastructure, governance arrangements,
and socio-economic conditions. This article examines the practical implementation of
digital services in social protection across regions, with a specific focus on district- and
local-level delivery mechanisms. Using a system-based and process-oriented analytical
framework, the study explores how digital tools such as integrated social registries,
management information systems (MIS/SPIS), government-to-person (G2P) digital
payments, and grievance redress mechanisms are applied in different territorial
contexts. The analysis highlights regional disparities in service coverage, targeting
accuracy, delivery speed, and user experience, as well as the institutional and
technological factors shaping these outcomes. The findings indicate that regions with
higher levels of inter-agency integration, data interoperability, and digital capacity
achieve more effective and inclusive social protection outcomes. At the same time,
digital divides, uneven infrastructure development, and limited digital literacy continue
to constrain the effectiveness of digital services in less developed regions.
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