In March 2026, the ITCILO graduated a new cohort of 11 professionals in its diploma programmes: the Diploma for Social Protection Analysts and the Diploma for Social Protection Managers. These professionals have gone on to join a growing global network of practitioners applying their skills to strengthen social protection systems that are inclusive, sustainable and responsive to people’s needs.

Launched in 2018 and in 2020 respectively, the diploma programmes aim to strengthen the capacity of professionals responsible for designing, managing and evaluating social protection systems. Delivered through a combination of online and face-to-face learning at the ITCILO campus in Turin, they cover core areas such as policy design, financing, governance and system performance. The programmes provide access to up-to-date knowledge, data, tools and global evidence on social protection, and are delivered by experienced trainers and resource persons from international organizations, academia and practice.

The diploma programmes have so far 68 graduates from 39 countries, part of a significant, world-wide effort to support capacity development across diverse institutional and national contexts.

For many graduates, the programmes have contributed to moving the needle on social protection. Already, participants have begun to apply the knowledge gained to support policy development, system reform and programme implementation in their respective countries in three major areas: 

• Improving national reform processes 
• Strengthening social protection systems and expanding coverage
• Supporting programme design and implementation 

These wins begin with a fundamental shift in how participants understand social protection. 

Participants report that the knowledge gained is being applied in ongoing reform implementation processes in their countries.

In Oman, tangible progress is already being made at the Social Protection Fund.  

Hashim Al Hashimi, Director General of Customer Services at the same institution, noted the relevance of adapting international experiences to national contexts.  

In Senegal, the conviction remains the same. 

In Uganda, Geoffrey W. Sajjabi, Chief Commercial Officer at the National Social Security Fund, is applying analytical tools from the programme to assess system performance and contribute to reforms.

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Yannick Mavita Mukwanga, Director at the National Social Security Fund for Public State Employees of the DRC highlighted the importance of extending coverage to all population groups. 

Other graduates indicated that the diploma has strengthened their capacity to design and improve programmes.

For Bidronce Chiphaso, Managing Director of Pro Veritas Consulting Group in Malawi, the structure of the programme was an important factor: 

At the same time, the learning experience remains firmly centred on people—encouraging reflection, collaboration and the application of knowledge to real-world challenges, with the goal of improving lives through more inclusive and effective social protection systems.

At ITCILO, we remain committed to expanding access to high-quality capacity development, ensuring that more professionals, institutions and countries can benefit from learning opportunities rooted in international knowledge exchange. By fostering a dynamic and collaborative environment, we will continue to support the development of stronger, more inclusive and effective social protection systems worldwide.