Case studies >>Western Balkans social exclusion review


First published: 2009-06-01

In 2006, SDDirect undertook a set of social exclusion reviews in the Western Balkans, covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Serbia. The reviews had a number of objectives, but were primarily designed to highlight key social exclusion issues, identifying and analysing the linkages between social exclusion and poverty reduction. The findings were pulled together to provide a series of practical recommendations for DFID’s future programming in the region.

Working in a multidisciplinary team of both local and international consultants, the reviews were split into three components: a review of social exclusion issues; an ethnicity stocktaking exercise; and two gender reviews of DFID’s country programmes. While the review of key issues highlighted priority concerns for DFID to address in its programming, the ethnicity stocktaking exercise identified examples of best practice, for example illustrating where aid instruments have been used to successfully improve outcomes for marginalised groups.

The exercise also revealed existing gaps in analysis and monitoring systems. The review clearly demonstrated the interplay of different factors of exclusion. In particular, it revealed that remoteness or spatial exclusion is a key factor of exclusion across the region. Persons living in rural areas are particularly vulnerable to exclusion caused by lack of services, infrastructure, employment and poverty.

It also found that unemployment and low education levels contribute significantly to social exclusion, primarily through the cycle of lack of education deepening unemployment and poverty. Groups already suffering from social exclusion are more likely to suffer from unemployment and low education. The informal economy usually engages those who are already socially excluded, such as Roma, women, refugees, IDPs and internal migrants.The review also illustrated that social exclusion is a multi-layered phenomenon, with vulnerable persons experiencing multiple exclusions, which in turn lead to further exclusion.

Finding that poverty is both a driver and a consequence of social exclusion, the review demonstrated two key drivers of social exclusion, both based on intrinsic qualities: the first driver deriving from ‘who one is’, such as discrimination based on gender, ethnicity, disability or age; and the second driver related to aspects of people’s lives, such as unemployment, poverty, HIV status or where they live.

The ethnicity stocktaking underlined the importance of ensuring sensitivity to ethnicity at all stages and the value of effective participation by ethnic minorities at all levels of government, from the development of policies and strategies to the implementation of specific measures locally. The gender reviews were undertaken of DFID’s programmes in Serbia and Albania, and involved a combination of literature reviews, interviews and group discussions.

Taking a participatory approach, we worked closely with DFID staff, aiming to strengthen capacity within DFID offices to take work on social exclusion forward. With a focus on partnerships and learning, the consultation provided space for representatives from government, parliament, civil society and donor agencies to share their views, ask questions and raise any concerns.

With another focus on developing realistic recommendations for future programming, the review significantly improved the level of understanding among DFID staff of the nature of social exclusion and its effect upon the socio-economic and political developments in the region. Our understanding of DFID processes helped us to ensure that recommendations were both practical and relevant to the development context of harmonised and country-led approaches. This was a timely exercise, equipping staff to use the review findings in the development of a new Regional Assistance Plan for the Western Balkans.