Balancing Protection and Self-Reliance: Safety Net Programs and Community Dependency Risks in North Gondar Zone Administration

Resumen

The implementation of the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) in North Gondar Zone has generated mixed views among scholars and community members. While the program plays a significant role in protecting vulnerable households from chronic food insecurity and livelihood shocks, the findings reveal emerging dependency risks among both beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries. Using a mixed research approach, data were collected from 392 randomly selected respondents. The study found that PSNP participation has, in some cases, become a social factor influencing household behavior and marriage decisions. Some beneficiaries reportedly reduce productive efforts to maintain eligibility, while others fail to use the program as a stepping stone out of poverty. A large majority (89.9%) of respondents indicated that beneficiaries are not creating sustainable wealth and livelihoods as often claimed by government officials. Graduation from the program frequently appears temporary, with many households relapsing into dependence. The absence of complementary development interventions and limited transparency in beneficiary selection further undermine the program’s effectiveness. Based on these findings, the study recommends: (1) PSNP should promote self-reliance among beneficiaries as its name implies by minimizing its more engagement in short-term supports; (2) integrating transfers with sustainable livelihood activities such as irrigation, livestock rearing, poultry production, weaving, and other income-generating schemes; (3) establishing confidential grievance mechanisms to address targeting errors; (4) creating incentives for beneficiaries who improve their livelihoods through personal initiative; (5) introducing post-graduation follow-up systems; (6) strengthening community-based targeting; (7) enforcing accountability measures to ensure development support is used for productive purposes