A Qualitative Evaluation of a Conditional Cash Transfer Program in Turkey: The Beneficiaries’ and Key Informants’ Perspectives

ABSTRACT

Since the 2001 economic crisis, conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have been provided to poor families in Turkey to improve education and health outcomes of children. Under the framework of CCT programs, grants provide an incentive for poor households to use available basic social services. The aim of this study is to explore beneficiaries’ perspectives in relation to a CCT program in Turkey. The in-depth study design entailed semistructured qualitative interviews with beneficiary households and key informants. A total of 397 in-depth interviews were conducted. Analysis results suggest that the CCT program not only positively affected health and educational outcomes, but also contributed to the empowerment of women and improved the self-esteem and self-confidence of beneficiary children. Recommendations for future research are made including the need for an impact evaluation analysis that employs quantitative research methods designed to improve the provision and quality of the basic social services.

KEYWORDS:

• Poverty
• conditional cash transfers
• Turkey
• assessment
• qualitative analysis

Notes

1. Please see World Bank (2003) for social impacts of the financial crisis in 2001.

2. Please see Leroy et al. (2009) and Lagarde, Haines, and Palmer (2007) for reviews of evidence regarding the impact of CCT programs on child nutrition outcomes.

3. Please see Molyneux and Thomson (2011) for an assessment of cash transfers’ impact on women's empowerment in Peru, Ecuador, and Bolivia.