EV" SUSTAINABLE LIVELIHOODS APPROACH: AN ALTERNATIVE POVERTY aps. 265: PASH QNAL RAT Syrams and Strategies ‘manila Khisa Lecturer, Department of Development studies Faculty of Artsand Socil Sciences ‘engladesh University of Professionals + The concept of Sustainable Livelihood (SL) is an attempt to go beyond the conventional definitions and approaches to poverty eradication. These had been found to be too narrow because they focused only on certain aspects or manifestations of poverty, such as low income, or did not consider other vital aspects of poverty such as vulnerability and social exclusion. Itis now recognized that more attention must be paid to the various factors and processes which either constrain or enhance poor people's a ‘an economically, ecologically, and socially sustainable manne The SL concept offers a more coherent and integrated approach to poverty.+ The idea was first introduced by the Brundtland Commission on Environment and Development + United Nations Conference on Environment and Development expanded the concept, advocating for the achievement of sustainable livelihoods as a broad goal for poverty eradication in 1992 What is Sustainable Livelihood? * Robert Chambers and Gordon Conway's definition on Sustainable Rural Livelihood focusing on the household dynamics: “Alivelihood comprises the capabilities, assets (stores, resources, claims and access) and activities required for a means of living: a livelihood is sustainable which can cope with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or enhance its capal and assets, and provide sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next generation; and which contributes net benefits to other livelihoods at the local and global levels and in the short and long term:The SL Approach Three + Firstly, The first is the realization that while economic growth may be essential for poverty reduction, there is not an automatic relationship between the two since it all depends ‘on the capabilities of the poor to take advantage of expanding economic opportu: ights into poverty: + Secondly, there is the realization that poverty — as conceived by the poor themselves — is not just a question of low income, but also includes other dimensions such as bad health, illiteracy, lack of social services, etc, as well as a state of vulnerability and feelings of powerlessness in general.+ Thirdly, Finally, it is now recognized that the poor themselves often know their situation and needs best and must therefore be wvolved in the design of policies and project intended to better their lot. Strengths of SL Approach: People-certred: Peoplerather than the resourcesthey use arethe priory concern in the livelihoods approach Holistic: holistic view is aspired in understanding the stakehclders’ livelihoods ase whole Dynamic: Justaspeople'svelhoodsand the institutions that shave their life are highly ‘dynamic, s9 isthe approach inorder to learn from changesand help mitgatingnezatve Impacts whilst supporting positne effects. Building on strengths: recognition ofeveryone's inherent potential for his/her removal of constraintsand realization of potentials. Macro-micolinks: Development activity tends tofocusat either the macroor themicro level, whereas the SLA ries to bridge th'sgap in stressing the links between the two levels, Sustainabilty:A livlihoodcanbeclassified azcustainabla, itis rasiientinthe face of external shocis andstresses,ifitis independent from externalsuppcrt,ifitiseble to maintainthe long-term productivity of raturalresources ard ifit éoes notundermine the livelinoodoptions of otters. ikollmairet el, 2002)Weaknesses of SL Approach None of the SL Approaches really dealwith the issue of how to identify the poor that youaretryingto assist ‘The way resourcesand other livelihood opportunities ere distributed locally is often influenced by informal structures of social dominance and power within the communitiestherrselves (UNDP and CARE do. Not, DFID to some extend, does;e.g. Gender). ‘SLapproach requires highly flexibleplanning situation Finally, the SLapproach, if applied consistently might be beyond the practical realities of many local development administrations, with the risk that this approach remains an initiative of donors andtheir consultants. The Sustainable Livelihoods Framework + One way of “organising” the complex issues surrounding POVERTY + Itneeds to be: ° Modified o Adapted © Made appropriate to local circumstances © Made appropriate to local prioritiesThe Core Features of SL framework + An understanding of vulnerability in a given context + A strategy to protect livelihoods + An analysis of different types of capital “Vulnerability” Context * Shocks > Floods, droughts, cyclones > Deaths in the family > Violence or civil unrest * Seasonality * Trends and changes > Population > Environmental change > Technology > Markets and trade > Globalisation“Vulnerability” Context aS Vul bilit “oer | 5 X Shocks ‘Seasonality Trends changes P F Livelihoods assets Human Capital Social Natural Capital Capital Physical Financial Capital CapitalHuman Capital + Health Nutrition Education Knowledge and skills Capacity to work Capacity to adapt Natural Capital Land and produce + Wild foods& fibres Water & aquatic ae ae ee + Biodiversity Trees and forest + Environmental products services WildlifeSocial Capital + Networks and connections 0 patronage © neighbourhoods 0 kinship Relations of trust and mutual support Formal and informal groups Common rules and grounds Collective representation Mechanisms for participation in decision-making Leadership Physical Capital + Infrastructure * transport - roads, vehicles, etc. * secure sheiter & buildings * water supply & sanitation * eneray * communications * Tools and techoloay + tools and equipment for production + seed, fertiliser, pesticides * traditional technologyFinancial Capital + Saving * Credit/debt - formal, informal, NGOs + Remittances + Pensions + Wages Human capital * lakour capaci So... toedbetion”” Landless + limited skills female Natural capital ‘agricultural + ardless Tabourer “access to common property resources Financial eepital lumen + low wages + no access to credit Physical capital Social, Natural * poor water supply Capital ‘Copttal + poor housing + poor cormunications Social copital Physical Financial * low socicl status yseal Financiol descrimination gaint wonen ‘strong links with Fanily & Friends ‘traditions of reciprocal ex extremely reduced “livelihood Pentagon’Policies, Institutions & Processes + of government + Policies + Institutions + Processes Policies InstitutionsLivelihood Strategies Combining: + the assets they can access Taking account of: + the vulnerability context ‘Supported or obstructed by: * policies, institutions and processes. leading to Livelihood Outcomes Poverty - a ‘poor’ livelihood outcome: * based on a fragile or unbalanced set of livelinood assets * unable to sustain to shocks, changes or trends * not supported, or actively obstructed by policies, institutions and processes that do not allow assets to be used as they might + livehood options combined in a “bad” or unsustainable strateayThe Sustainable Livelihoods Framework Se oC) yumm ai Poe ps oes - »s