Phased implementation of the proxy means test (PMT) is a crucial strategy for providing allowance to important factors affecting the effectiveness of targeted social assistance in reaching its intended beneficiaries. The program duration of 36 months set during the design of the original project was insufficient to introduce a targeting methodology and targeted social assistance in a country where there was no previous related experience. Despite the Mongolia’s small population, the phasing of PMT implementation proved crucial in providing allowance for important factors that could the effectiveness of the targeted social assistance, including population density and geographic distribution, and challenges related to the weather and households' and service providers' limited understanding of the new concept and method. Likewise, sufficient time is needed to develop large IT systems to support targeted social assistance. Risks associated with the shortage of qualified IT experts will need particular consideration at the project design stage.
Food and Nutrition Social Welfare Program and Project