Prof. Dr. Franziska Gassmann


Professorial Fellow

Research group(s):
7. Social Protection (coordinator)
6. Migration and Development

Franziska Gassmann (PhD in Economics) is Professor of Social Protection and Development at Maastricht University and Professor of Poverty and Social Protection at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Science. At UNU-MERIT, she is the Head of the UNU-MERIT Graduate School. Franziska Gassmann has a strong track record in the field of poverty, social protection and applied public policy analysis and has written over 90 publications. The focus of her current research is on understanding to what extent and under what conditions formal and informal social protection contribute to inclusive development and how such policies impact intermediate objectives such as the accumulation of human capital, the investment in, protection and accumulation of productive assets, labor market participation and the generation of local multiplier and spillover effects. Her research also addresses questions such as how social protection can be expanded to those groups that are currently not covered by formal systems, for example informal workers, and the determinants of preferences for redistributive policies. Franziska Gassmann has over 25 years of experience in advising international organizations, such as UNICEF, the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, OECD, ILO, UNDP and national governments. She has project experience in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia and Africa. She is regularly teaching in graduate programmes (MSc, PhD) in the field of welfare economics, social protection and public policy analysis (certified university teacher BKO), and executive training programmes.




Selected publications by Franziska Gassmann


Articles (journal, professional, popular)
Janz, Teresa, Britta Augsburg, Franziska Gassmann & Zina Nimeh (eds.), 2023, Leaving No One Behind: Urban Poverty Traps in Sub-Saharan Africa, World Development, DOI: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2023.106388
Gassmann, Franziska, Richard de Groot, Stephan Dietrich & et al., 2022, Determinants and drivers of young children's diets in Latin America and the Caribbean: Findings from a regional analysis, PLOS Global Public Health, 2(7), DOI: doi.org/10.1371/journal.pgph.0000260
Iacoella, Francesco, Nyasha Tirivayi & Franziska Gassmann, 2022, Impact of mobile phones on HIV public stigma: a cross-sectional and pseudo-panel analysis from Ghana, BMJ Open, 12(e062594), DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-062594, More information
Ahmed, Musa Hasen , Wondimagegn Tesfaye & Franziska Gassmann, 2022, Early Growing Season Weather Variation, Expectation Formation, and Agricultural Land Allocation Decisions in Ethiop, Journal of Agricultural Economics, Online, DOI: 10.1111/1477-9552.12507, More information
Iacoella, Francesco, Franziska Gassmann & Nyasha Tirivayi, 2022, Which communication technology is effective for promoting reproductive health? Television, radio, and mobile phones in sub-Saharan Africa, PLOS One, Online, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0272501, More information
Dietrich, Stephan, Aline Meysonnat, Francisco Rosales, Franziska Gassmann & Victor Cebotari, 2022, Economic Development, Weather Shocks and Child Marriage in South Asia: a Machine Learning Approach, PLOS One, Online, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271373, More information
Vinci, Vincenzo, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2022, Institutions and preferences for social protection, International Social Security Review, 75(1): 107-154, DOI: 10.1111/issr.12290, More information
Röthlisberger, Claudia, Franziska Gassmann, Wim Groot & Bruno Martorano, 2022, The contribution of personality traits and social norms to the gender pay gap: A systematic literature review, Journal of Economic Surveys, Online, DOI: 10.1111/joes.12501, More information
Chongcharoentanawat, Patima, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2022, Thailand’s Vocational Training and Upward Mobility: Impact Heterogeneities and Policy Implications, Journal of Development Effectiveness, Online, DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2022.2089199, More information
Malerba, Daniele, Stephan Dietrich, Franziska Gassmann & Armando Barrientos, 2021, Prioritarian rates of return to antipoverty transfers, Journal of International Development, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Bruno Martorano & Jennifer Waidler, 2021, How Social Assistance Affects Subjective Wellbeing: Lessons from Kyrgyzstan, The Journal of Development Studies, Online, DOI: 10.1080/00220388.2021.1988079, More information
Kuss, Maria Klara, Franziska Gassmann & Firminus Mugumya, 2021, How Inclusive are the Local Economic Impacts of Social Protection in Uganda?, The European Journal of Development Research, Online, DOI: 10.1057/s41287-021-00488-9, More information
Mideros Mora, Andres & Franziska Gassmann, 2021, Fostering social mobility. The case of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Ecuador, Journal of Development Effectiveness, 13(4): 385-404, DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2021.1968931, More information
Dietrich, Stephan, Daniele Malerba, Armando Barrientos, Franziska Gassmann, Pierre Mohnen & Nyasha Tirivayi, 2020, Human capital returns to cash transfers in Uganda: does it matter in the long run?, Journal of Development Effectiveness, 12(1): 54-73, DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2019.1691626, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & Lorena Zardo Trindade, 2019, Effect of Means-Tested Social Transfers on Labor Supply: Heads Versus Spouses—An Empirical Analysis of Work Disincentives in the Kyrgyz Republic, The European Journal of Development Research, 31: 189-214, DOI: 10.1057/s41287-018-0142-7, More information
Vanore, Michaella, Melissa Siegel, Franziska Gassmann & Jennifer Waidler, 2018, Adult Child Migration and Elderly Multidimensional Well-Being: Comparative Analysis Between Moldova and Georgia, Research on Aging, 40(7): 599-622, DOI: 10.1177/0164027517723077, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Melissa Siegel, Michaella Vanore & Jennifer Waidler, 2018, Unpacking the Relationship between Parental Migration and Child well-Being: Evidence from Moldova and Georgia, Child Indicators Research, 11(2): 423-440, DOI: 10.1007/s12187-017-9461-z, More information
Waidler, Jennifer, Michaella Vanore, Franziska Gassmann & Melissa Siegel, 2018, Migration and the Multi-Dimensional Well-Being of Elderly Persons in Georgia, Journal of Population Ageing, 11(3): 217-238, DOI: 10.1007/s12062-017-9176-4, More information
Waidler, Jennifer, Michaella Vanore, Franziska Gassmann & Melissa Siegel, 2017, Does it matter where the children are? : the wellbeing of elderly people 'left behind' by migrant children in Moldova, Ageing and Society, 37(3), DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X15001385, More information
Waidler, Jennifer, Jessica Sabine Hagen-Zanker, Franziska Gassmann & Melissa Siegel, 2017, Do remittances and social assistance have different impacts on expenditure patterns of recipient households? : The Moldovan Case, Migration and Development, in press , DOI: 10.1080/21632324.2016.1159887, More information
Waidler, Jennifer, Michaella Vanore, Franziska Gassmann & Melissa Siegel, 2017, Does it matter where the children are? : The wellbeing of elderlypeople 'left behind' by migrant children in Moldova, Ageing and Society, 37(3): 607-632, DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X15001385, More information
Mideros Mora, Andres, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2016, Estimation of rates of return on social protection: ex ante microsimulation of social transfers in Cambodia, Journal of Development Effectiveness, 8(1): 67-86, DOI: 10.1080/19439342.2015.1025815, More information
Schuering, Esther & Franziska Gassmann, 2016, The political economy of targeting – a critical review, Development Policy Review, 34(6): 809-829, DOI: 10.1111/dpr.12185
Yousefzadeh, Sepideh & Franziska Gassmann, 2016, Local Needs and Global Indicators: A Contextual Approach to Multidimensional Child Deprivation, Ethical Perspectives, 23(1): 165-182
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2014, Beyond Averages - child well-being in Kazakhstan, Journal of Children and Poverty, 20: 91-110, DOI: 10.1080/10796126.2014.979139, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & Raquel Tsukada, 2014, Switching off or switching source: energy consumption and household response to higher energy prices in the Kyrgyz Republic, Central Asian Survey, 33(4): 531-549, DOI: 10.1080/02634937.2014.982979, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2014, Switching the Lights Off: The Impact of Energy Tariff Increases on Households in the Kyrgyz Republic, Journal of Comparative Economics, 42(3): 755-769, DOI: 10.1016/j.jce.2013.04.003, More information
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2012, False positives or hidden dimensions: What can monetary and multidimensional measurement tell us about child poverty in Vietnam?, International Journal of Social Welfare, 21: 393-407, DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00836.x, More information
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2011, How effective can efficient be? Social assistance in Kosovo and what it means for children, Journal of European Social Policy, 21(3): 238-252, DOI: 10.1177/0958928711401767, More information
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2011, False Positives or Hidden Dimensions- What can monetary and multidimensional measurement tell us about child poverty?, International Journal of Social Welfare, DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2397.2011.00836.x
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2010, Child poverty in Vietnam: Providing insights using a country-specific and multidimensional model , Social Indicators Research , 98: 129-145, DOI: 10.1007/s11205-009-9522-x, More information
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2010, Child Poverty in Vietnam - providing insights using a country-specific and multidimensional model, Social Indicators Research, 98(1): 129-145
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2010, Child Poverty in Vietnam - providing insights using a country-specific and multidimensional model’, Social Indicators Research, 98(1): 129-
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2009, The Importance of Choice and Definition for the Measurement of Child Poverty - the case of Vietnam, Journal for Child Indicators Research, 2(3): 245-263
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2009, Equal Opportunities for all children in Vietnam- assessing the distribution of child poverty from a monetary and multidimensional perspective, Journal of Income Distribution, 18(3-4): 206-231
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2009, The Importance of Choice and Definition for the Measurement of Child Poverty – the case of Vietnam, Child Indicators Research, DOI: 10.1007/s12187-008-9028-0
Gassmann, Franziska & Geranda Notten, 2008, Size Matters: Poverty reduction effects of means-tested and universal child benefits in Russia, European Journal of Social Policy, 18(3): 260-274
Gassmann, Franziska, 2001, Winners and Losers in Latvia during the Transition, Transition Newsletter, 6(11): 40-
Gassmann, Franziska, 2000, Winners and losers, Latvia during the transition, Baltic Economies. The Quarter in Review, 4: 4-
Gassmann, Franziska, 1996, Verschillen in Concepten - Armoede in Oost-Europa, Oost-Europa Verkenningen, 144(Mei): 37-40


Book chapters
Gassmann, Franziska, 2021, The Future of Work, in: Loewe, M. and Schüring, E. (eds), The Handbook of Social Protection Systems, Edward Elgar, UK, DOI: 10.4337/9781839109119, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2021, Data and analysis in social protection, in: Esther Schu?ring and Markus Loewe (Eds), Handbook on Social Protection Systems, Edward Elgar, UK, DOI: 10.4337/9781839109119.00073, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2018, Social Assistance, in: Handayani, S.W. (eds), Asia’s Fiscal Challenge. Financing the Social Protection Agenda of the Sustainable Development Goals, Asian Development Bank, Manila
Schuering, Esther & Franziska Gassmann, 2013, Whom to target – an obvious choice?, in: Bender, K., Kaltenborn, M. and C. Pfleiderer (eds), Social Protection in Developing Countries. Reforming Systems, Routledge, UK, DOI: 10.4324/9780203082294, More information
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2012, Multidimensional Child Poverty in Vietnam, in: Minujin, A. and S. Nandy (eds.), Global Child Poverty and Well-Being: Measurements, concepts, policy and action, Policy Press, Bristol
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2009, Making poverty analysis richer: Multi-dimensional poverty research for social policy design, in: Boyser, K., C. Dewilde, D. Dierckx and J. Friedrichs (eds), Between the Social and the Spatial – Exploring Multiple Dimensions of Poverty and Social Exclusion, Ashgate, Surrey, More information
Neubourg, Chris de, Keetie Roelen & Franziska Gassmann, 2009, Making Poverty Analyses Richer – Multidimensional poverty research for policy design, in: Boyser, K., C. Dewilde, D. Dierckx and J. Friedrichs (eds), Between the Social and the Spatial – Exploring Multiple Dimensions of Poverty and Social Exclusion, Ashgate Publishing, Surrey
Gassmann, Franziska & Geranda Notten, 2007, Targeted Child Benefits in Russia: To what extent do these Benefits reduce Child Poverty?, in: Minujin, A. and Delamonica, E. (eds.), Social Protection Initiatives for Children, Women and Families, The New School and UNICEF, New York


UNU-MERIT Working Papers
Dietrich, Stephan, Daniele Malerba & Franziska Gassmann, 2023, Predicting social assistance beneficiaries: On the social welfare damage of data biases, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2023-007
Janz, Teresa, Britta Augsburg, Franziska Gassmann & Zina Nimeh, 2022, Leaving no one behind: Urban poverty traps in Sub-Saharan Africa, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2022-041
Palacios, Juan Carlos, Denis de Crombrugghe & Franziska Gassmann, 2022, Money is not enough: Unintended negative effects of cash transfer design, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2022-038
Dietrich, Stephan, Aline Meysonnat, Francisco Rosales, Victor Cebotari & Franziska Gassmann, 2021, Economic development, weather shocks and child marriage in South Asia: A machine learning approach, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2021-034
Gassmann, Franziska, Bruno Martorano & Jennifer Waidler, 2021, How social assistance affects subjective Well-being: Lessons from Kyrgyzstan, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2021-013
Kool, Tamara A. , Giulio Bordon & Franziska Gassmann, 2021, Access to social protection for platform and other non-standard workers: A literature review, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2021-002
Gassmann, Franziska & Bruno Martorano, 2019, The future of work and its implications for social protection and the welfare state, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2019-039
Chongcharoentanawat, Patima, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2018, Thailand's vocational training and upward mobility: Impact Heterogeneity and Policy Implications, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2018-043
Abu-El-Haj, Tareq, Franziska Gassmann & Cathal O'Donoghue, 2018, Price opinion data in subsidized economies: Empirical evidence from Iraq, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2018-033
Kuss, Maria Klara, Patrick Llewellin & Franziska Gassmann, 2018, The economic impacts of a social pension on recipient households with unequal access to markets in Uganda, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2018-006
Kuss, Maria Klara, Franziska Gassmann & Firminus Mugumya, 2018, The relevance of local structures for economic multiplier effects of social pensions in Uganda, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2018-004
Dietrich, Stephan, Daniele Malerba, Armando Barrientos & Franziska Gassmann, 2017, Rates of return to antipoverty transfers in Uganda, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2017-040
Dietrich, Stephan, Daniele Malerba, Armando Barrientos, Franziska Gassmann, Pierre Mohnen, Nyasha Tirivayi, Susan Kavuma & Fred Matovu, 2017, Social protection investments, human capital, and income growth: Simulating the returns to social cash transfers in Uganda, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2017-029
Mideros Mora, Andres & Franziska Gassmann, 2017, Fostering social mobility: The case of the 'Bono de Desarrollo Humano' in Ecuador, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2017-002
Gassmann, Franziska, Daphne François & Lorena Zardo Trindade, 2016, Social welfare benefits and their impacts on labour market participation among men and women in Mongolia, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2016-033
Gassmann, Franziska & Lorena Zardo Trindade, 2016, The effect of means-tested social transfers on labour supply: heads versus spouses - An empirical analysis of work disincentives in the Kyrgyz Republic, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2016-030
Gassmann, Franziska, Pierre Mohnen & Vincenzo Vinci, 2016, Institutional factors and people's preferences in social protection, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2016-003
Waidler, Jennifer, Jessica Sabine Hagen-Zanker, Franziska Gassmann & Melissa Siegel, 2014, Do remittances and social assistance have different impacts on expenditure patterns of recipient households? The Moldovan case, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2014-072
Mideros Mora, Andres, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2013, Estimation of rates of return on social protection: Making the case for non-contributory social transfers in Cambodia, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2013-063
Gassmann, Franziska & Raquel Tsukada, 2013, Switching off or switching source: energy consumption and household response to higher energy prices in the Kyrgyz Republic, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2013-047
Gassmann, Franziska, Melissa Siegel, Michaella Vanore & Jennifer Waidler, 2013, The impact of migration on children left behind in Moldova, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2013-043
Gassmann, Franziska, Melissa Siegel, Michaella Vanore & Jennifer Waidler, 2012, The impact of migration on elderly left behind in Moldova, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2012-082
Gassmann, Franziska, 2012, Switching the lights off: The impact of energy tariff increases on households in the Kyrgyz Republic, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2012-066
Bierbaum, Mira & Franziska Gassmann, 2012, Chronic and transitory poverty in the Kyrgyz Republic: What can synthetic panels tell us?, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2012-064
Schuering, Esther & Franziska Gassmann, 2012, Whom to target - an obvious choice?, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2012-028
Gassmann, Franziska, 2011, Protecting vulnerable families in Central Asia: Poverty, vulnerability and the impact of the economic crisis, This paper was commissioned by the Social and Economic Policy Unit of the UNICEF Regional Office for Central and Eastern Europe and Commonwealth of Independent States (CEE/CIS)and also appeared as: Innocenti Working Paper No. 2011-05, UNU-MERIT Working Paper 2011-042


MGSoG Working Papers
Ahmed, Maha & Franziska Gassmann, 2010, Measuring Multidimensional Vulnerability in Afghanistan, MGSoG Working Paper 2010-004
Ahmed, Maha & Franziska Gassmann, 2009, Defining vulnerability in post conflict environments, MGSoG Working Paper 2009-022
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2009, False positives or hidden dimensions - What can monetary and multidimensional measurement tell us about child poverty?, MGSoG Working Paper 2009-015
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2009, Child poverty in Vietnam - providing insights using a country-specific and multidimensional model, MGSoG Working Paper 2009-001
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2008, Child poverty in Vietnam providing insights using a countryspecific and multidimensional model, MGSoG Working Paper 2008-008
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2008, A global measurement approach versus a country-specific measurement approach - Do they draw the same picture of child poverty? The case of Vietnam, MGSoG Working Paper 2008-004
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2008, Measuring child poverty and well-being: a literature review, MGSoG Working Paper 2008-001
Notten, Geranda & Franziska Gassmann, 2006, Size matters: Poverty reduction effects of means-tested and universal child benefits in Russia, MGSoG Working Paper 2006-001
Gassmann, Franziska, 2005, How to improve access to social protection for the poor? Lessons from the social assistance reform in Latvia, MGSoG Working Paper 2005-002
Gassmann, Franziska, D. Coady & I. Klytchnikova, 2005, An evaluation of the Welfare impacts of electricity tariff reforms and alternative compensating mechanisms in Tajikistan, MGSoG Working Paper 2005-001


External working papers
Gassmann, Franziska, Ugo Gentilini, Julieta Morais, Conrad Nunnenmacher , Yuko Okamura, Giulio Bordon & Giorgia Valleriani, 2023, Is the Magic Happening ? A Systematic Literature Review of the Economic Multiplier of Cash Transfers, More information
Cherrier, Cecile, Franziska Gassmann, Andres Mideros Mora & Pierre Mohnen, 2013, Making the investment case for social protection - Methodological challenges with lessons learnt from a recent study in Cambodia, UNICEF Office of Research Working Paper WP-2013-06, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & C. Behrendt , 2006, Cash benefits in low-income countries: Simulating the effects on poverty reduction for Senegal and Tanzania, Issues in Social Protection, Discussion Paper 15, ILO, Geneva
Gassmann, Franziska, 2002, The Social Reality of 10 Years of Transition’, in Latvia Welfare Reform – Resent and Future, Social Policy Research Series, Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia, UNDP, Riga
Gassmann, Franziska, 2000, Who and Where are the Poor in Latvia?, Social Policy Research Series, Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia, UNDP, Riga, Latvia
Gassmann, Franziska & Chris de Neubourg, 2000, Coping with little means in Latvia, , Social Policy Research Series, Ministry of Welfare of the Republic of Latvia, UNDP, Riga, Latvia


Research reports
Gassmann, Franziska, Alex Hunns, Francesco Iacoella, Julieta Morais & Davide Manzoni, 2023, The potential impact of conflict in Ukraine on the most vulnerable groups in Serbia, with a particular focus on children, Report commissioned by UNICEF Serbia, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Giulio Bordon & et al., 2022, Extending social protection to herders with enhanced shock responsiveness - a study on herders' behavior towards social and health insurance, Report commissioned by ILO, More information
Kool, Tamara A. & Franziska Gassmann, 2022, Essential Needs Analysis & Programming: A global review of WFP’s approach and experience to-date, Report commissioned by WFP Rome
Bordon, Giulio, Francesco Iacoella & Franziska Gassmann, 2022, Simulating redistributive social policy scenarios for Montenegro, Final Report, Study commissioned by UNICEF Montenegro, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2020, Position Paper on Targeting Options for Social Assistance Programme for Poor Families with Children, Report commissioned by UNICEF Kyrgyzstan, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Valentina Perinetti Casoni, Andres Mideros Mora & Eszter Timar, 2020, Multidimensional poverty assessment for the Kyrgyz Republic, Report commissioned by UNICEF Kyrgyzstan, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Eszter Timar, Tamara A. Kool, Zina Nimeh, Teresa Janz & et al., 2020, Jordan Country Report on Out of School Children, report commissioned by UNICEF Jordan, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Chen Gong & Eszter Timar, 2020, Review of statistical tools to assess the number, characteristics and working conditions of digital platform workers, Report commissioned by ILO
De Groot, R., Franziska Gassmann & et al., 2020, Regional landscape analysis of trends and drivers and determinants of young children’s diets in Latin America and the Caribbean, Report commissioned by UNICEF LACRO
Gassmann, Franziska, Nga Leopold & Eszter Timar, 2020, Technical Assistance to review Decree 136 with a focus on social assistance for children and propose policy options for the development of a new Decree in line with MPSARD targets and relevant to the context of a lower middle-income country, This assignment is to provide technical support to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA)in revising Decree 136 on social assistance policy in Vietnam
Gassmann, Franziska & Aline Meysonnat, 2019, Kyrgyz Republic: Distributional Impact of Energy Tariff Reform, Report commissioned by the World Bank, More information
Dietrich, S., Franziska Gassmann, Aline Meysonnat, Georg Schmerzeck, Eszter Timar & Nyasha Tirivayi, 2019, Linking Social Protection to Improved Productivity: the Investment Case for Cash-Plus Programs in Kenya, Report commissioned by WFP Kenya and Government of Kenya, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Eszter Timar, F van Kesteren, M Dekkers & O Miroro, 2018, The Business Case for Social Protection in Africa, INCLUDE Knowledge Platform for Inclusive Development Policies, More information
Dietrich, Stephan, Aline Meysonnat, Victor Cebotari, Julia Reinold, Franziska Gassmann, Inez Roosen & Neil Foster-McGregor, 2018, Key Drivers of the Changing Prevalence of Child Marriage in Three Countries in South Asia, UNICEF, Kathmandu, Nepal, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Hannah Röth & Eszter Timar, 2017, Scoping Study on Social Protection and Food Security: Country Report Tajikistan, Report commissioned by WFP Cairo
Gassmann, Franziska, Michaella Vanore, T Pham Minh, T Tran Nhu & Eszter Timar, 2017, Assessment of and policy dialogue on targeting approaches and mechanisms (inclusion and exclusion errors) in existing social assistance schemes, Report commissioned by UNICEF Vietnam
Vanore, Michaella, Franziska Gassmann, T Tran Nhu, T Pham Minh, Nga Leopold & Eszter Timar, 2017, Study on Improving the Effectiveness and Coverage of Social Assistance for Children with Focus on Consolidation Policy (Family/Child Benefit Package), Report commissioned by UNICEF Vietnam
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2017, Scoping Study on Social Protection and Food Security: Regional Synthesis Report, Report commissioned by WFP Cairo
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2017, Scoping Study on Social Protection and Food Security: Country Report Kyrgyz Republic, Report commissioned by WFP Cairo
Gassmann, Franziska, Hanna Röth & Eszter Timar, 2017, Scoping Study on Social Protection and Safety Nets for Enhanced Food Security and Nutrition in the Central Asia Region: Country Report Tajikistan, Report commissioned by WFP Cairo
Gassmann, Franziska, S Karapetyan, H Manasyan, Hanna Röth, Eszter Timar & A Udumyan, 2017, Scoping Study on Social Protection and Safety Nets for Enhanced Food Security and Nutrition in the Central Asia Region: Country Report Armenia, Report commissioned by WFP Cairo
Dietrich, S., Aline Meysonnat, Victor Cebotari, Julia Reinold, Franziska Gassmann, Inez Roosen & Neil Foster-McGregor, 2017, Key Drivers of the Changing Prevalence of Child Marriage in South Asia, Report commissioned by UNICEF/UNFPA South Asia
Gassmann, Franziska, Victor Cebotari, Michaella Vanore & Hanna Röth, 2016, Assessment and Recommendations to Improve the Resilience of the Social Protection System for a Timely and Flexible Response to the Needs of All Vulnerable Children and Families Facing Shocks, Disasters, and Crises in Moldova, The following report was commissioned by UNICEF Moldova and prepared by a research team from the University of Maastricht Graduate School of Governance (MGSoG), 87, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, Nyasha Tirivayi, Stephan Dietrich & Hanna Röth, 2016, Estimation of Rates of Return (ROR) on Social Protection Investments in Lesotho, This report was written on behalf of UNICEF Lesotho (LRPS-KMA-2015-9118790) as part of a project funded by the European Union with technical support provided by UNICEF and implemented under the guidance of the Ministry of Social Development, 66, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & Lorena Zardo Trindade, 2015, Analysis of potential work disincentive effects of the Monthly Benefit for Poor Families in the Kyrgyz Republic, Report #99776-KG, World Bank, Washington DC. (also available in Russian), More information
Gassmann, Franziska, D. François & Lorena Zardo Trindade, 2015, Improving labor market outcomes for poor and vulnerable groups in Mongolia, Report #102320-MN, World Bank, Washington DC, More information
Tomini, Sonila, Michaella Vanore, Sepideh Yousefzadeh & Franziska Gassmann, 2014, Situation Analysis of Children with Disabilities for the Development of an Inclusive Society in the Republic of Kazakhstan, Report commissioned by UNICEF, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2013, Kyrgyz Republic - Minimum living standards and alternative targeting methods for social transfers: a policy note, World Bank, Washington DC, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2013, Economic and Social Vulnerability in Georgia, More than 70 per cent of Georgians are vulnerable, says a new UNDP report co-authored by Dr. Franziska Gassmann. The research covers more than 4000 households across the country, including persons with disabilities, the displaced, and people living high u, 136, More information
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2012, Child Well-Being in Kazakhstan, UNICEF Kazakhstan, Astana, More information
Mideros Mora, Andres, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2012, Estimation of rates of return of social protection instruments in Cambodia. A case for non-contributory social transfers, Graduate School of Governance, Maastricht University/UNU-MERIT, External Policy Report, research carried out in coordination with the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, CARD, the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNICEF Cambodia, More information
Mideros Mora, Andres, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2012, Estimation of rates of return of social protection instruments in Cambodia: A case for non-contributory social transfers, The research was carried out in coordination with the Council for Agricultural and Rural Development, CARD, the Royal Government of Cambodia and UNICEF Cambodia, 138 pages, More information
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2012, Child wellbeing in Kazakhstan, Report prepared for UNICEF Kazakhstan, 72 pages, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2011, ), To What Extent Does the Existing Safety Net Protect the Poor, Poverty and Social Impact Analysis Series, The World Bank, Washington DC
Gassmann, Franziska, 2011, Energy Consumption and Tariff Increases in the Kyrgyz Republic, World Bank, Washington DC
Gassmann, Franziska, 2010, Performance measurement for Social Protection, Note commissioned by DG EuropeAid, E3/ESIP, European Commission
Gassmann, Franziska, D. Tobis, David Rodriguez & Patricia Huitrón, 2009, Cost-Benefit Analysis of Child Protection Policies in Tajikistan, UNICEF Tajikistan, Dushanbe, More information
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2009, Impact of Social Assistance Cash Benefit Scheme on Children in Kosovo – a report to UNICEF Kosovo, UNICEF Kosovo, Pristina, More information
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2008, Children in Viet Nam – Who and Where are the poor? The development and application of a multidimensional approach to child poverty, UNICEF Vietnam, Hanoi
Gassmann, Franziska & Agnieszka Sowa, 2004, Development of a Methodology for Monitoring Poverty and Social Exclusion, Final Report, Ministry of Welfare, Republic of Latvia, More information
Desczka, S. & Franziska Gassmann, 2003, Bijstand in Internationaal Perspectief, Werkdocument, MSZW, The Hague (Social Assistance from an international perspective)
Gassmann, Franziska, 1995, The Feminization of Poverty, Background paper for the Human Development Report 1995, UNDP, New York
Gassmann, Franziska, 1994, Costs of Discrimination, Part II – Industrialized Countries, Background paper for the Human Development Report 1995, UNDP, New York
Gassmann, Franziska, 1994, Costs of Discrimination. Denied Access to Assets for Women, Part I – Developing Countries, Background paper for the Human Development Report 1995, UNDP, New York


Conference contributions
Gassmann, Franziska & Alex Hunns, 2023, An unlikely shadow on the plain: identifying determinants of herder inclusion in formal social & health insurance, SHADOW Conference, Tallinn, 23 September 2023
Gassmann, Franziska, Esther Schuering & Brian Mathebula, 2023, The relevance of framing and design parameters for the acceptability of a basic income grant – the case of South Africa, BIEN Conference, Seoul
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2021, Perceived position on the social ladder and redistributive preferences – A survey experiment from the Kyrgyz Republic, Life In Kyrgyzstan Conference, online, 26-28 October, 2021
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2019, The Challenges and Opportunities of Targeting Child Grants in Kyrgyzstan, International Conference on Universal Child Grants, International Conference on Universal Child Grants, Geneva, 6-8 February, 2019
Gassmann, Franziska, Bruno Martorano & Jennifer Waidler, 2018, From Cradle to Grave? Poverty, Social Assistance, and Subjective Well-being in Kyrgyzstan, HDCA Conference 2018, Buenos Aires
Gassmann, Franziska & Jennifer Waidler, 2017, For Better or Worse: Aspirations and Expectations of Central Asia’s Youth, 3rd Annual LIK Conference, Bishkek, 12-13 October, 2017
Mugumya, Firminus, Maria Klara Kuss & Franziska Gassmann, 2017, Beyond aggregate measures: Exploring the impact of local structures on economic multipliers of social pensions in Uganda, Paper presented at Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management 2017 International Conference, Brussels, 14 July 2017
Bierbaum, Mira & Franziska Gassmann, 2016, Individual experiences of living on social assistance: Activation, capabilities and social exclusion, Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management (APPAM) International Conference, London School of Economics, United Kingdom, June 13-14
Mideros Mora, Andres & Franziska Gassmann, 2015, Fostering social mobility. The case of the Bono de Desarrollo Humano in Ecuador, 2015 Human Development & Capability Association Conference "Capabilities on the Move: Mobility and Aspirations". Georgetown University, Washington D.C., 10-13 September 2015., More information
Mideros Mora, Andres, Franziska Gassmann & Pierre Mohnen, 2013, Estimation of Rates of Return on Social Protection Instruments: Making the Investment case for Non-Contributory Social Transfers in Cambodia, The Society for Benefit-Cost Analysis welcomed over 170 attendees to its fifth annual conference and meeting on February 21-22, 2013, in Washington, D.C. Conference participants spent two days attending 24 panels on a variety of topics, listening to a key, More information
Gassmann, Franziska, 2009, Approaching (Basic) Social Protection in Central Asia: the Need for an Effective Safety Net, Key Note paper for the GTZ High-Level Technical Meeting on Basic Social Protection in Central Asia, Bishkek, 30 November – 1 December 2009
Roelen, Keetie & Franziska Gassmann, 2008, Explaining child poverty in Vietnam: do household and individual characteristics matter?, paper for the Conference on Income Distribution and the Family, Kiel, 1-3 September 2008
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2007, Child Poverty and Vulnerability Indices for Vietnam – a new policy tool, Presented at Inaugural Conference of the International Society for Child Indicators (ISCI), Chicago, 26-28 June 2007
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2007, A Child Poverty Approach for Vietnam, presented at CROP/Child watch workshop Rethinking Poverty and Children in the New Millennium: Linking Research and Policy, Oslo, 17-19 September 2007
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2007, A Child Poverty Approach in Vietnam – a new policy tool, presented at the APPAM Fall Research Conference What Else Shapes Public Policy Analysis and Management?, Washington DC, 8-10 November 2007
Roelen, Keetie, Franziska Gassmann & Chris de Neubourg, 2007, A global measurement approach versus a country-specific measurement approach – Do they draw the same picture of child poverty? The case of Vietnam, presented at the MGSoG ESPP Research Conference The Pursuit of Certainty: Applications in Measuring Poverty, 21-22 November 2007, Maastricht, the Netherlands
Gassmann, Franziska, 2006, How to Improve Access to Social Protection for the Poor? Lessons from the Social Assistance Reform in Latvia, Paper presented at the conference on Social Protection for Chronic Poverty, 23-24 February 2005, IDPM, Manchester, UK
Coady, D., Franziska Gassmann & I. Klytchnikova, 2005, An Evaluation of the Welfare Impacts of Electricity Tariff Reforms And Alternative Compensating Mechanisms In Tajikistan, Paper presented at the ECINEQ conference, 20-22 July 2005, UIB, Palma de Mallorca
Gassmann, Franziska, 2003, Poverty Reduction Strategies: Are there Lessons to be Learned?, Paper prepared for the SSE Riga conference on Human Development in the EU Accession countries, June 1-2, 2003, Riga (Invited keynote speaker)
Gassmann, Franziska & Chris de Neubourg, 2000, The Dynamics of Gaining and Losing, Paper prepared for the AABS conference on Baltic Studies, 15-17 June, 2000, Washington DC
Gassmann, Franziska, 2000, Simple, Effective and Affordable: Reforming Social Assistance in Latvia, Paper prepared for the ISSA conference on Social Security, 25-27 September, 2000, Helsinki
Gassmann, Franziska & Chris de Neubourg, 1997, Social Assistance in Lithuania, Background Paper for the OECD Technical Workshop on Social Assistance Schemes in Central and Eastern European Countries, Stockholm, 27-28 November 1997
Gassmann, Franziska & Chris de Neubourg, 1997, Social Assistance in Latvia, Background Paper for the OECD Technical Workshop on Social Assistance Schemes in Central and Eastern European Countries, Stockholm, 27-28 November 1997


Theses
Gassmann, Franziska, 2000, On the Verge of Poverty. Welfare and Economic Transition in Latvia, Dissertation, Universitaire Pers Maastricht, Maastricht
Gassmann, Franziska, 1995, Puzzling Poverty - An Analytical Survey of Concepts and Methods, Master’s Thesis, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands


Briefs
Gassmann, Franziska, Alex Hunns & Francesco Iacoella, 2020, Shock-sensitive social protection in Malawi, This study explores potential designs for the SCTP to provide seasonally adjusted basic transfer values in Malawi. A monthly cash addition pegged at maize prices is found to be a suitable policy option, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & Eszter Timar, 2018, The Importance of Social Protection for Children in the Balkans, This policy brief investigates the costs of child poverty in the Balkans, including deprivation in terms of education, health, and social mobility. It then lays out the potential of social protection, most notably in terms of building resilence and fostering development, More information
Dietrich, Stephan & Franziska Gassmann, 2018, Rates of Return to Social Protection: Social Cash Transfers in Uganda, UNU Policy Brief, Number 2, 2018, More information
Kuss, Maria Klara & Franziska Gassmann, 2018, The Economic Impacts of Social Cash Transfers in Integrated and Remote Areas in Uganda, UNU Policy Brief, Number 1, 2018, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & S.W. Handayani, 2017, Closing the Gap: Potential Contribution of Social Assistance for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, ADB Briefs, 80, Asian Development Bank, Manila, More information
Gassmann, Franziska & S.W. Handayani, 2017, Closing the Gap: Potential Contribution of Social Assistance for Achieving Sustainable Development Goals, This brief discusses the fiscal requirements to meet the social protection-related targets of SDGs, particularly for social assistance programs in ADB’s 16 developing member countries in Asia, More information
Bierbaum, Mira & Franziska Gassmann, 2016, Belemmerde vrijheid? Ervaringen met de Participatiewet, Policy Brief No. 2, 2016, Dutch version, More information
Bierbaum, Mira & Franziska Gassmann, 2016, Limits of Freedom? Experiences with the Participation Act, Policy Brief No 2, 2016, English version, More information


Other (editorship, media appearance, keynote, etc.)
Gassmann, Franziska, 2017, Social Protection in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Positioning FAO in Social Protection for Food Security, Nutrition and Rural Development in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, Bishkek, 25-26 April, 2017
Gassmann, Franziska, 2017, The potential contribution of Social Protection to “end poverty in all its forms everywhere”, APPAM Conference “Public Policy and Governance Beyond Borders”, Brussels, 13-14 July, 2017
Gassmann, Franziska, 2017, Contrary to expectations: The well-being of children and elderly left behind by migrant family members, 9th Joint IOS/APB/EACES Summer Academy on Central and Eastern Europe, Tutzing, 10-12 July, 2017
Gassmann, Franziska, 2017, The Importance of Social Protection for Children, UNICEF Sub-Regional Conference on Social Protection for Children, Sarajevo
Gassmann, Franziska, 2016, Don’t leave the poor behind!, International Symposium on Social Protection Systems - Tying the Knots, September 5-6, 2016 in Bonn, Germany
Gassmann, Franziska, 1996, Is Poverty the Price for Independence? Countering Women’s Poverty in the Age of Societal Change, in FENN, Countering the Feminization of Poverty, Seminar Report, University of Utrecht


UNU-MERIT