Event: ADB and ADBI Learning Program: Financing Social Protection for the Sustainable Development Goals The Potential Contribution of Non-contributory Social Assistance Schemes to the Closure of the Protection Gap in Asia 15 February 2017 Author / Speaker Franziska Gassmann Social assistance can help reduce poverty and inequality, increase human and physical capital, generate local and regional multiplier effects, and foster economic and social mobility. However, most social assistance programs in many countries underperform. There is clearly a need to go beyond allocating money. This presentation recommends solutions to optimize social assistance programs, which includes, among others, improving the collection of accurate and comparable data on poverty. Disclaimer The views expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) or its Board of Governors or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included in this publication and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. By making any designation of or reference to a particular territory or geographic area, or by using the term “country” in this document, ADB does not intend to make any judgments as to the legal or other status of any territory or area. Topics Social Development and Protection Poverty