Examples of social protection innovations
The Finnish Maternity package: providing equal start for all newborns
The Finnish maternity package, often referred to as the baby box, is a unique innovation advancing equal well-being and equal start for life for Finnish babies. It is in fact a maternity grant that families can choose to receive either in cash or in kind. Over 90 per cent of first time mothers want to receive the baby box in kind because they find it so useful.
The maternity package has provided expectant mothers with the basic kit of clothes, sheets and toys for nearly 80 years. Many would argue that this innovation is one of the factors that has helped Finland to achieve one of the world’s lowest infant mortality rates.
The box, which has been distributed since 1938, contains a starter kit for new-borns and is available to all expectant mothers to be with the condition of visiting a doctor or a maternity and child welfare clinic for a health check before the 5th month of pregnancy. The cardboard box itself can be used as the baby’s first crib.
The introduction of maternity grants was prompted by concerns over declining birth rates and high infant mortality. Thanks to the maternity grant, Finnish mothers gained access to public health services. Initially the scheme was available to families of low income but since 1949 the grant was made available to all mothers-to-be. The purpose was to give all babies, no matter their background, an equal start in life.
More information on the Finnish baby box and maternity grant's history:
Maternity grant, The Social Insurance Institution of Finland
Do Babyboxes Really Save Lives? BBC News, March 2017
Why Finnish Babies Sleep in Cardboard Boxes, BBC News, June 2013
Finnish Basic Income Experiment
Finland started a 2-year year experiment in January 2017 paying its unemployed citizens an unconditional basic income. The experiment is carried out among 2 000 persons between ages 25 and 58 who will each receive a monthly basic income of 560 euro for the duration of the experiment. The basic income will replace the participants’ existing social benefits and will be paid even if they end up finding work during the trial. The monthly income is exempt from tax.
The unemployment in Finland stands at 8,1%. Many claim that the current system can discourage unemployed people from working since even low earnings can result in big cuts in benefits. The aim for the trial is to reduce bureaucracy, poverty and unemployment.
The experiment will run from January 2017 to December 2019 and is a unique social innovation with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, alleviating poverty and increasing employment.
For more information on the Finnish basic income experiment, please visit:
Finland trials basic income for unemployed, The Guardian, January 2017
Finland tests a new form of welfare, The Economist, June 2017
Basic Income Experiment in Finland presentation by Ronald Wiman at "The Poverty of Politics? Pursuing Sustainable Development for All in Challenging Times" side event, the 55th session of the Commission for Social Development, February 2017.
Infographic on Universal Basic Income pilots completed, currently in progress or planned prepared by futurism.com.
