| 
Use
of Sustainable Livelihoods Approaches
The
sustainable livelihoods framework was used to structure the
analysis. The focus was on the changes needed in policies,
institutions and processes to support a sustainable livelihoods
approach.
The approach was based on action-research, the intention being
that committed partners would follow up on the initial work
and lessons which arose from the project.
Pre-project ownership was emphasised. All partners joined
the Khanya team for a pre-project workshop where the principles
behind the SL approach were discussed. Based on this a detailed
methodology was drawn up.
The project took a 'vertical transect' of the public administration
from village to central ministries in each case study. As
a result the sustainable livelihoods framework has been adapted
into one for examining institutional issues at community,
local service provider level, the meso level (regional) and
centre (national) level. In the case of the Free State this
was used to develop a provincial Poverty Eradication Strategy,
with the SL approach as the core to this.
The project developed an innovative and participatory methodology
which has been refined over the course of the study. The challenge
now is for each region to build on the learning to date and
implement action plans which effect change at the micro and
macro levels.
Subsequent funding from DFID has resulted in Guidelines for
undertaking a national/regional SL strategy being prepared
which are available from the Khanya website.
Managing change to promote sustainable livelihoods implies:
-
understanding the clients, the key areas where the state
can add value and either provide those services, facilitate
their provision by others, or provide them in partnership
-
strong and sustained political will
- a
very strong understanding of the external environment
-
definition of a socio-economic strategy before structure
-
a clear policy direction coupled with clear implementation
· a learning process approach
- focused
attention by dedicated teams on pilot approaches
-
flexibility and responsiveness as the change process throws
up lessons
-
courage to rethink the organisations processes
-
a major investment in communication
-
a change agent to facilitate the change process
The
main outputs intended were:
- lessons
from experience of the appropriate institutional mechanisms
to support SLs shared in each of Eastern Cape and Free State
in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, as well as across the
region
-
improved understanding by policy makers in Zimbabwe, Zambia,
Eastern Cape and Free State of important policy elements
for supporting SLs
-
wider awareness in the international community of the lessons
from southern Africa in institutional support requirements
for SLs
Print
version of the Project Summary: Word.
|
