Definition of Key Terms

The definitions below draw on the World Bank's Digital Sourcebook and work from the Digital Convergence Initiative. They offer a shared vocabulary for discussing Social Registries (SR) and Integrated Beneficiary Registries (IBR) within Digital Social Protection Delivery Systems (DSPDS).

Digital Social Protection Delivery Systems (DSPDS)

Comprehensive, interoperable platforms that leverage technology to enhance social protection delivery. They support all stages of social protection, from beneficiary outreach to the management of benefits, while emphasizing data protection, user-centered design, and scalability.

Beneficiary Operations Management Systems (BOMS)

Specialized software applications for day-to-day administration of social protection programs. They handle program enrollment, benefit calculations, compliance checks, and data updates. BOMS typically integrate with SRs for intake data and with Payment Systems for benefit disbursement.

Payment Systems

Platforms enabling secure and efficient transfers of monetary benefits to recipients. They may support multiple payment methods (bank transfers, mobile money, cards) and automate core tasks such as scheduling, reconciliation, and fraud prevention.

Unique Identification Systems

Foundational systems for uniquely identifying individuals across services and programs. They often rely on biometric data, maintain a central identity database, and integrate with other government systems to reduce fraud and duplication.

Grievance Redress Mechanisms (GRM)

Systems that collect, process, and resolve beneficiary complaints and feedback. They provide multiple submission channels, case tracking, workflow automation, and reporting, all critical for program transparency and accountability.

Social Registry (SR)

A dynamic, inclusive repository containing socio-demographic information on potential beneficiaries. Key characteristics include: on-demand or periodic registration, broad coverage, standard data collection tools, interoperability with other databases, and use of a recognized ID system. The SR supports intake, verification, needs assessment, and generation of potential beneficiary lists for social programs.

Integrated Beneficiary Registry (IBR)

A comprehensive system tracking actual benefits received by beneficiaries enrolled in one or more social protection programs. Unlike an SR, which focuses on potential beneficiaries, an IBR holds information on actively supported individuals or households. It consolidates data from multiple programs, preventing benefit overlaps, supporting program coordination, and providing an analytical view of benefit distribution.