Behavioral Design Checklist for Humanitarian Cash and Voucher Assistance - Improving Outcomes for Women

This checklist highlights designs for humanitarian cash and voucher assistance (CVA) that can increase the impact of CVA for women recipients in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The goal of the design principles presented is to optimize CVA to help recipients effectively spend the transfer in line with their priorities, as well as take a step beyond basic needs to aid them in effectively increasing mid-term financial stability. The insights from this checklist are derived from research conducted by ideas42 and CARE International in three countries—Iraq, Jordan, and Turkey—in late 2019. Full details of each design principle and relevant behavioral findings can be found in the accompanying guide: Applying Behavioral Science to Humanitarian CVA for Better Outcomes for Women" produced by ideas42 and CARE International.

Though the guidance is best used during project assessment and design, it can be adapted to different phases in the project cycle. Users are encouraged to ensure that a wider range of specialists participate in discussions seeking to incorporate the guidance—including CVA Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) teams, and sector specialists or technical leads. It can also be used as a point of reflection for evaluation or after-action reviews. In addition, the involvement of program support staff and senior management will be valuable to ensure that the points are actionable and properly resourced.