Glossary of Terms
First published in 2011, the CALP Glossary is designed to facilitate a common understanding and harmonized use of terms and definitions for cash and voucher assistance (CVA).
It should be noted that these definitions apply to the use of CVA in humanitarian programming and may not reflect how some terms are understood in other contexts or by other audiences.
The glossary, last updated in 2023, is available in Arabic, English, French and Spanish in both an online and PDF format.
It is also available in German and Portuguese but in a PDF format only.
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Showing 2 of 182 Glossary terms
Open Loop Payment Systems
Open loop refers to payment systems where payments can be made between two parties without those parties having a direct relationship. Intermediaries are used instead – banks, processors, card networks, etc. For example, an open-loop payment card is authorized by a card network (e.g., Visa, Mastercard) and can be used wherever cards on that network are accepted. Open loop mobile wallets (e.g., ApplePay, GooglePay) are applications which store payment card data and can be used across multiple merchants provided they are equipped to accept mobile wallet payments.
Operational Model
Operational models describe the structures through which agencies work collaboratively to design and implement interventions (providing cash, vouchers and/or other modalities) across the programme cycle. Key design features of operational models, which define how they are governed and administered, include contractual and funding relationships (e.g., consortia, alliances), systems (e.g., data sharing, interoperability ), programmatic arrangements (e.g., consolidated projects, targeting, monitoring, accountability), and delivery model (e.g., unified delivery platform, segregation of functions, linking to social protection programmes). An operational model differs from a coordination forum which typically has a broader membership and the primary function of coordination (rather than provision of assistance).
[Partially adapted from Cash assistance – How design influences value for money]
