Trinidad & TobagoTrinidad & Tobago

Presentation on the Targeted Presentation on the Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Conditional Cash Transfer

Programme (TCCTP) Programme (TCCTP)

IntroductionIntroduction

The Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer The Targeted Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (Programme (TCCTPTCCTP) was introduced in ) was introduced in Trinidad and Tobago in August 2006 Trinidad and Tobago in August 2006

The implementation of the Programme is The implementation of the Programme is in keeping with the Vision 2020 in keeping with the Vision 2020 Developmental Pillar: Developmental Pillar: Nurturing a Caring Nurturing a Caring Society.Society.

The specific goals of this developmental The specific goals of this developmental pillar to which the TCCTP applies are: to pillar to which the TCCTP applies are: to Significantly reduce poverty and, to Build Significantly reduce poverty and, to Build strong families and strong communities.strong families and strong communities.

IntroductionIntroduction

The TCCTP can also be considered to be The TCCTP can also be considered to be in tandem with ensuring social in tandem with ensuring social protection, since it provides the protection, since it provides the mechanism to support persons through, mechanism to support persons through, and take them out of their state of and take them out of their state of vulnerability to self-sustainability.vulnerability to self-sustainability.

There are currently approximately There are currently approximately 19000 direct beneficiaries of the 19000 direct beneficiaries of the Programme.Programme.

The Programme

The TCCTP is informed by the Puente CCTP is informed by the Puente programme.programme.

TCCTP targets families who are unable to TCCTP targets families who are unable to meet their daily nutritional requirements meet their daily nutritional requirements and to a great extent, those who are and to a great extent, those who are existing in conditions of poverty. existing in conditions of poverty.

The unit of focus is the family/household, The unit of focus is the family/household, and as such the intention is to treat with and as such the intention is to treat with the need of all members of the family. the need of all members of the family.

The Programme

The application for admission into the programme capture detailed information on the primary applicant as well as all members of the family unit/household.

Based on an assessment of the situation of the family of TTCard recipient, the services of relevant divisions and agencies are bought to bear to ensure the strengthening of the family.

The Programme

Beneficiaries are provided with a TTCard via which they are provided with monthly cash credits of predetermined values, based family size, for the purchase of nutritious food items from participating grocers

The value of the card is automatically credited on the 1st day of each month

Beneficiaries are not allowed to use the TTCard to purchase cigarettes, alcohol, alcoholic beverages

The Programme

The conditional aspect of the programme requires that recipients of the TTCard participate in developmental Programmes that would allow them to become self-sustainable.

The developmental aspect of the Programme includes: access to technical/vocational skills and academic training, life skills training, financial management, family planning, parenting, small business development and entrepreneurial skills.

The Programme

Access to credit is also available to participants who have the capability and desire to establish their own business enterprises.

As a condition for being a beneficiary of the TCCTP, participants would be required to contract with the Ministry of Social Development to engage in the developmental activities that would contribute to their empowerment and socio-economic well being.

Reorientation of the Programme

It is recognized that there is need for a reorientation of the programme to have it streamlined according to the Puente model. Accordingly, the following have been done:

Institutional strengthening of the TCCTP Division: Staff numbers bought closer to full strength, efforts are also being made to built the capacity of staff.

The use of IT: Information on all the beneficiaries have been computerized; this represent a critical phase in electronic case management. This would facilitate more effective tracking and monitoring the progress of beneficiaries of the Programme.