This paper sets out to examine the key issues around options for social protection in fragile states. It will contribute to the development of good practice notes on social protection by OECD-DAC Povnet and will pursue six interrelated sets of questions: • What would be an appropriate typology to use for fragile states in the context of social protection? • What underlying principles of engagement could donors follow in reaching the poorest people in fragile states through social protection? • What are the implications of those principles for the design and delivery of social protection programmes in fragile states? How does donor behaviour affect social protection processes and outcomes? What are the political implications of different types of social protection in fragile states? • What is the scope for donor engagement on policy dialogue in fragile states and what are possible entry points for engagement on social protection? • What are the opportunities for scaling up social protection in fragile states and how can partners build sustainability in the design and delivery of programmes? • What set of incentives and disincentives may help to build greater social protection commitment and capacity in fragile states?
