About the project

Partner: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Government of Australia
Project duration: August 2025 – February 2026 .

The National Social Security Strategy (NSSS) is the Government of Bangladesh’s flagship framework for reforming the country’s social protection system, first introduced in 2015. It aims to transition from fragmented safety nets to a coordinated, lifecycle-based, and inclusive social protection system. The Action Plan Phase II (2021–2026) builds on the progress of the first phase by deepening reforms in governance, expanding coverage, strengthening delivery systems such as the Single Registry MIS, improving the Grievance Redress System (GRS), and enhancing monitoring and evaluation frameworks. This final review, supported by UNDP with DFAT funding, will assess progress, challenges, and opportunities in implementing the NSSS and Action Plan Phase II. The review will answer eleven KEQs covering achievements, governance effectiveness, inclusion outcomes, and lessons learned to inform the design of the next-generation National Social Protection Strategy (NSPS) 2026+. The project will combine a detailed literature and policy review, quantitative analysis of programme coverage and expenditure trends, and qualitative consultations with government, development partners, and beneficiaries. The findings will be presented to the Cabinet Division, the Central Management Committee for Social Protection, and at the Bangladesh Social Security Conference 2026.



Scope of Work Summary for NSSS Phase II Final Review:

• Implementation Review: Assess progress against NSSS goals and Action Plan Phase II targets, including policy reforms, operational improvements, and institutional arrangements.
• Governance and Coordination Analysis: Examine the roles and effectiveness of coordination mechanisms, including the Central Management Committee (CMC) and sub-committees.
• Inclusion Assessment: Evaluate the integration of gender, disability inclusion, and LNOB principles across social protection programmes.
• Political Economy Analysis: Understand fiscal constraints, policy coherence, and institutional incentives shaping NSSS implementation.
• Forward-looking Recommendations: Develop evidence-based recommendations to strengthen the future social protection strategy for Bangladesh.

Project activities

Team Inception Meeting

On 14 August 2025, the RAPID project team held its inception meeting for the Final Review of the NSSS and Action Plan Phase II. The meeting brought together team members to review the Terms of Reference, finalise the evaluation framework, and outline the data collection and analysis plan. Initial discussions focused on aligning methodological approaches with the eleven Key Evaluative Questions and ensuring the integration of gender and inclusion analysis across all review stages. The session also discussed stakeholder engagement strategies, timelines for key deliverables, and preparations for consultations with government ministries, development partners, and civil society organisations.