Background

Learning about Livelihoods is a guide to understanding the concept of sustainable livelihoods. It provides practical ideas on how to use this framework to inform development and project planning at different scales. It is based on an adapted framework incorporating elements from the CARE, DFID and Oxfam models.

The package has been written for development practitioners, trainers, managers, planners and field workers to:

• provide a practical and accessible livelihoods framework that synthesises and simplifies other livelihoods models
• develop a common language which will be understood by policy makers and fieldworkers
• present a range of tools, methods and approaches to conduct livelihoods analysis

Tool outline

The handbook is based around ten training sessions. These build understanding of the factors that make poor families vulnerable, as well as revealing their inherent strengths. The book is structured as follows:

				Chapter 1: Introduction to the livelihoods framework The opening chapter provides a basic introduction to the livelihoods framework, and a short overview of different tools, methods and approaches commonly used to apply the framework. It also highlights frequently asked questions about the livelihoods framework, and what is involved in implementing it.
				Chapter 2: Workshop sessions The second chapter is divided into ten training sessions. These provide background information on key ideas and concepts; guides to preparing for and facilitating the session; and prepared learning activities. The sessions are based around the following themes: what is a household? inside the household (gender and age concepts and roles) introduction to the conceptual framework household activities household assets and capabilities power, control and influence over assets by different members of the household the external environment understanding the vulnerability context exploring sustainability livelihoods and disaster risk
				Chapter 3: Practical livelihoods analysis The third chapter introduces the different steps in a generic livelihoods planning cycle. It details approaches and methodologies for carrying out livelihoods analysis and vulnerability assessment in the field. The chapter tracks the steps involved in preparing for and implementing a livelihoods and vulnerability analysis, and explores how to use the findings to shape an intervention plan.
				Chapter 4: Southern African case studies This chapter contains a set of case studies from different countries in the region including Angola, South Africa and Zambia and Zimbabwe. The case studies are an important resource for trainers who want to develop their own training sessions.

The video features five film documentaries from Southern Africa which portray a diverse range of pressures facing people in difficult circumstances. Issues covered including retrenchment, flood risk, recurrent drought, HIV/AIDS, violence and political instability.

Publishing/Ordering information

Learning about Livelihoods is produced by Disaster Mitigation for Sustainable Livelihoods Programme (DiMP). For more details see their project website: http://www.egs.uct.ac.za/dimp/

The pack can be ordered from Oxfam Books. See:
http://publications.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam/display.asp?isb=0855984686&%20

Feedback:

Feedback on Livelihoods Connect, the above material, contributions and suggestions are welcome by email to:
livelihoods-connect@ids.ac.uk