Improving Digital Access to Social Protection Programs

As of March 2021, an estimated 1.7 million people from Venezuela were based in Colombia—approximately 32 percent of all Venezuelan migrants in Latin America. Colombia has committed to a series of policies for the social and economic integration of Venezuelan migrants, including extending access to health, education, and social programs and housing subsidies. Some of these programs, however, require potential recipients to open digital accounts; inability to access these accounts (or “digital wallets”) may further exacerbate social exclusion and inequalities. Furthermore, since the pandemic, Colombia has experienced a large expansion in digital financial services (DFS)–monetary transactions using digital channels increased by 38.2 percent. While this may sound promising, substantial heterogeneity in adoption of DFS still exists, particularly along age, gender, migratory, and socio-economic status. This project focuses on understanding the barriers low socio-economic status individuals, including migrants and asylum seekers, face in accessing DFS, which represent the main channel through which social inclusion programs (including cash grants and Covid-19 related benefits) are delivered in Colombia.