Paper short abstract:

This paper presents findings from a mixed-methods evaluation of an innovative 'cash plus' intervention implemented at neighbourhood level in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It reflects on synergies between cash and community-based support, and - crucially - the benefits of universal and unconditional delivery.

Paper long abstract:

Social protection, and cash transfers especially, have been found to have many positive impacts on families' lives and are now widely recognised as a cornerstone of any prosperous, fair society. The CLARISSA Cash Plus intervention in Dhaka, Bangladesh is an innovative social protection scheme for tackling social ills. Combining community mobilisation, case work and cash transfers over a period of 27 months, it aimed to support people in a low-income neighbourhood in Dhaka to build their individual, family, and group capacities to meet their needs.

In contrast to most cash transfer or 'cash plus' interventions - but in keeping with key principles of Universal Basic Income - the scheme is universal and unconditional at neighbourhood level; all households are eligible for cash support and every individual can participate in complementary services.

In this paper, we explore the impact of the combined delivery of universal and unconditional cash and complementary community-based support on a range of individual and family outcomes. We present findings from a mixed-methods evaluation, showing that (i) community-based support can enhance the impact of cash and vice versa, (ii) universal delivery positively engages powerful community actors, and (iii) unconditional delivery enhances people's agency and capacities. These findings provide important insights for design of future interventions, emphasising the potential of combining support and doing so universally.