Different countries, similar challenges: Globally, close to 50% of people lack access to social protection benefits, with some groups – such as persons with disabilities, girls and women (in all their diversity), and informal sector workers (incl. platform workers in the gig economy) – particularly affected. Emerging shocks like climate change, conflict, and price hikes can exacerbate the challenges faced by these groups. These complex issues need to be addressed through collective action and innovative thinking. The Social Protection Solution Labs aim to provide a such a space.

The workshop series has two main objectives: First, it aims to broaden participants' perspectives by bringing together voices across sectors and encouraging them to explore bold, even utopian, ideas, without being bound by institutional constraints, in an atmosphere that stimulates co-creation. Second, the workshops are designed to foster collaboration among diverse stakeholders, enabling the joint solutions developed to be implemented in real-world contexts.

The Social Protection Solution Labs are implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) in collaboration with a broad range of partners.