The Sustainable Livelihoods Resource Group (SLRG) has been established to assist with the development and implementation of the sustainable livelihoods approach. It brings together a variety of external organisations. These are working with each other and with DFID staff to ensure that the approach:

• offers a practical and effective way forward;
• is well understood;
• builds on the existing experience of both DFID and partner organisations; and
• makes a significant contribution to DFID's poverty elimination aim.

 Group skills and experience to date

Member organisations have been involved in different ways with the development and application of the SL approach. Existing experience includes:

• Development of the core ideas underpinning the SL approach
  (wide involvement but especially IDS and ODG);
• Application of the approach to DFID project/programme planning
  (BGS, IDL, NRI/NRIL, ODI, OPM, Wye);
• Use of the livelihoods approach to assess and adapt existing projects
  (BGS, CDS, IDL, ODI);
• Refinement of the approach through field activity
  (Khanya, ODI);
• Use of the approach as a basis for negotiation and discussion with other donors (IDL, OPM);
• Inclusion of livelihoods considerations in sector programmes and domestic government planning (BGS, IDL, Khanya, OPM);
• Use of the approach to prioritise DFID knowledge generation spending
  (CDS, Wye); and
• Application and assessment of the SL approach within research into natural resource, livelihood, and policy issues.
  (ODI, IDS, ODG)

The SLRG is expected to perform a range of different tasks and functions. Since it is designed to support DFID's development objectives, many of its activities will be defined in response to specific requests from Advisers and programme administrators. The composition of the SLRG is being updated to meet these changing needs.