Author Liswanti, N., Shantiko, B., Fripp, E., Mwangi, E. & Laumonie, Y.

Year of publication 2012

This guide aims to provide practical steps for field-based practitioners to follow in conducting socio-economic surveys of households and villages, including focus group discussions and key informant interviews. This guide is accompanied by nine Supporting Notes. These are essential tools for gathering socio-economic information, the results of which can be used as input to collaborative land use decision-making tools and procedures. Socio-economic survey tools are designed to collect information as a means of improving understanding of local resource management systems, resource use and the relative importance of resources for households and villages. Surveys also provide information on interaction with the government decision-making systems and community perceptions of trends and priority issues. Knowledge about community-based institutions, which is also obtained, and their roles in the sustainable use and conservation of natural resources, helps to facilitate or reinforce a consensus on land tenure and rights for the region, now and in the future.