PIOJ Launches National Poverty Reduction Toolkit

The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) has launched a National Poverty Reduction Leaving No One Behind (LNOB) Toolkit.

It is intended to build the capacity of poverty reduction stakeholders, strengthen service delivery to the poor and vulnerable and increase partnership, collaboration and information sharing.

Addressing Thursday’s (March 21) launch at the University of the West Indies Regional Headquarters in St. Andrew, PIOJ Director General, Dr. Wayne Henry, said Jamaica has made another pioneering move to strengthen its social protection systems through the toolkit’s development.

He explained that as Jamaica emerged from the most immediate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it was determined that there was a need to redouble efforts to ensure innovative approaches in identifying the most affected and that methods of targeting, communication, policy development, planning and programme implementation are inclusive.

He underscored that advances in social protection systems, nationally, continue to benefit from global agreements and good practice.

“The United Nations Agenda 2030 mantra of leaving no one behind is one such guidepost that aligns with Vision 2030 Jamaica and, more strategically, with the National Poverty Policy and Programme,” he said.

Dr. Henry added that the toolkit has significant utility for any project, programme or intervention, whether local or international, that seeks to address vulnerable groups.

“We anticipate wide usage as we share this toolkit even outside of the key stakeholders of the National Poverty Reduction Programme, and expect that the tools will prompt studied monitoring as well as subsequent programme adjustments as well as the development of detailed databases for effective programme management,” Dr. Henry stated.

PIOJ Programme Director, Poverty Reduction Coordinating Unit, Shelly Ann Edwards, said the toolkit was developed through a one-and-a-half-year iterative process involving desk research, stakeholder consultation, working group discussions and pre-testing.

“LNOB not only entails reaching the poorest of the poor, but requires combatting discrimination and rising inequality, including their root causes within and among countries,” Mrs. Edwards said.

The toolkit has three sections – assessment and analysis, strategic planning and implementation, and monitoring and implementation.

Mrs. Edwards shared that the toolkit will be used by the National Poverty Reduction Programme partners, policy practitioners, government decision-makers and other social protection, social development and sustainable development practitioners.

For his part, United Nations Resident Coordinator, Jamaica, Dennis Zulu, commended the PIOJ on a “remarkable achievement”.

He shared that the toolkit represents an innovative national endeavour designed to identify groups at risk of exclusion, enhance policies and programmes and improve service delivery to all, especially those who are marginalised or made vulnerable by conditions over which they have little or no control, including health, socioeconomic status, gender and living conditions.

“I am proud to recognise this example of Jamaica’s buy-in to the United Nations LNOB principle. It is a principle which underscores unwavering dedication to ensuring that no one is left behind in our pursuit of development,” Mr. Zulu said.