This project aimed to create a scorecard or assessment tool for financial health that can serve as an index or a collection of various metrics.
Background
Financial inclusion has been a top priority for policymakers and the private sector, as it addresses the issue of formalization and assists households/individuals in breaking free from the cycle of poverty. Despite the widespread opening of bank accounts and access to credit through various models like microfinancing, the cumulative effect of these initiatives and their contribution towards building resilience and security remains largely unanswered.
In order to develop financial health-focused policies and products that enhance financial welfare of the population, particularly the disenfranchised segments—women, youth, migrants, micro-enterprises, gig workers, and the poor—it is crucial to measure their financial health. In this context, LEAD partnered with UNCDF and ACCESS Development Services to develop a financial health scorecard which aims to assess the financial health of platform workers. The scorecard was developed as a modular framework that can be adapted and applied to different market contexts across Low- and Middle-Income Countries. Within the scope of this partnership, LEAD worked on developing the scorecard and testing its efficacy across one focus segment which is the gig economy.
Approach
Establishing a successful global effort around Financial Resilience requires a combination of technical and advocacy leadership skills, which can encourage institutions and individuals to engage and participate on an ongoing basis. This effort must also ensure that ongoing initiatives are well-integrated and support a common narrative.
To achieve these objectives, the COP (Community of Practice) can serve as an action platform for stakeholders to interact and engage for meaningful impact. The applicant is proposing to set up a team and consortium partners to shape an infrastructure that can continue to serve the convening needs of the agenda for years to come.
To achieve this, we are implementing a three-pronged action framework where each action is carefully mapped to contribute towards the development of the narrative, capacity building, or delivering impact. By following this framework, we can effectively engage stakeholders, build their capacity to take action, and deliver meaningful impact in the space of financial resilience.
Objective
The goal of this engagement was to create a scorecard or assessment tool for financial health that can serve as an index or a collection of various metrics. Since financial health is a multidimensional concept and stands agnostic to financial goals and choices, a financial health index can holistically capture the overall financial outcomes and allow comparison across individuals and groups.
Implications
The data thus collected was used to construct a Financial Health Score by giving proper weightage to each of the components discussed above and a final score to summarise the overall result to assess the individual’s financial health. This study had interesting implications for policymakers and financial service providers who will have access to a framework towards a holistic approach to measuring financial health and thereby providing adequate financial products, services and solutions to enable robust financial health.
Related Resources:
Report: Measuring Financial Health in Low and Middle-Income Countries – A Case Study of Gig Workers