Sustainable Livelihoods

What is it all about?What is it all about?

Aims of this session

You will :

* be familiar with the SL principles and SL framework

* See where CNR fits in and what we contribute

* Be enthused to explore the use of the SLA in our own work

Let’s make this session as interactive as possible

Definition of Livelihood

A livelihood comprises the capabilities, assets and activities required for a means of living.

A Sustainable Livelihood.

• copes with and recovers from stresses & shocks

•  maintains or enhances its capabilities and assets

• does not undermine resource base

Why is SL important?

By focusing on people rather than resources, we are better able to target our impact on poverty reduction

Principles of the SL Approach

 * Focus on people * Be Holistic * Be dynamic * Build on Strengths by being

responsive and participatory *Work at various levels by working

with partners *Take a wide view of sustainability

Livelihood Assets

Natural, Human, Social, Physical, Financial

Livelihood Strategies

Diversification Migration

Sustainable use of resource (asset) baseIncomeWell being (physiological, physical, health)Resilience (shock, stress, trends, change)Food security (hunger)

OutcomesAssets increased Assets decreased

Policies

Institutions

Processes

Shocks

Stresses

Trends

Change

Sustainable Livelihoods Interactions

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Strategies

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Strategies

Livelihood Outcomes

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Strategies

Livelihood Outcomes

BUT………..

Livelihoods are not just about assets and aspirations

What else enhances or limits peoples’ livelihoods?

Vulnerability Context

• Shocks – short term• Stresses – longer term (people may

learn to cope with these)• Trends – long term (ever changing,

usually in a downward spiral. People have to keep moving their perception to cope with these)

Vulnerability Context

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Strategies

Livelihood Outcomes

Policies, Institutions and Processes

• Social Relations and Institutions

• Organisations

• Policies

Institutions and

Organisations

The

Interface between policy and people

Social Capital

Policy- Makin

g Proces

s

Policy on

Paper

Policy Implementati

on

People’s Aspiratio

ns

Livelihood

Strategies

Policies

• On paper – and in practice

• They depend upon institutions and organisations for their implementation

• They are influenced by social relations and social actors

Social Relations and Institutions

• Social relations:

- Gender, paternalism, class, clientelism, solidarity, trust, respect, conflict and feuds...

Institutions:- They do not necessarily take the form of an

organisation- The market, the law, Anglicanism, Islam…

Organisations

• Public Sector - Local government, National Government - State owned companies, parastatals

• Private Sector- Multinationals, national and local- Informal sector

• Civil Society- NGOs, associations, unions- Social movements, Churches, Mafia and Triads...

Processes

• “What’s going on”

• How the policies are formed and how they are implemented

• Are the processes enhancing or constraining livelihood options?

PIPs can affect:

• Access to, and control of, assets

• The terms of exchange

• Incentives

• Creation of assets

• Inter-personal relations

Vulnerability Context

• Shocks• Stresses• Trends

Livelihood Assets

Human

Social

Physical

Financial

Natural

Livelihood Strategies

• Diversification• migration

Policies, Institutions &

processes•Law•Cultural norms•Organisations at

all levels•Private, public,

civil society

Livelihood Outcomes

• + Sustainable use of resource base

• + Income• + Well-being• Reduced

vulnerability• + Food security

A few thoughts……..

• What does working in a Livelihoods focused way mean for our skills and competencies?

• What does working in a livelihoods way mean for Employer’s recruitment and management (styles)?

• Developing ways to work with a livelihoods focus are still evolving……..