This guide contains 5 modules, which allow users to proceed independently of the tool’s own logic. The modules contain numerous external hyperlinks to access a bank of technical documents of the FAO, World Bank and other additional information sources. They also contain internal hyperlinks for navigating between modules or for easy access to the tool’s glossary.
Sustainable livelihoods: analysis at household level
Brief introduction to SL
The household evaluation framework is based on the concept of Sustainable Livelihoods (SL), which dates back to the work of Robert Chambers in the mid-‘80s1. Since then, numerous development agencies have adopted concepts related to livelihood and have carried out various actions to link it to the effects of development projects focusing on action against poverty.
The SL framework does not seek to provide an exact representation of reality, but rather a view of the livelihoods of less advantaged populations. In its simplest form, this framework visualizes households or communities in a context of vulnerability in which they have access to certain assets or factors; this allows them to reduce this vulnerability or, in other words, to strengthen their resilience (see diagram).
In the guide we believe that evaluating the effects of increasing security and legal certainty of tenure, as part of the country’s institutional services, will help strengthen capital (human, social, natural, physical and financial (see the definition of SL) linked to the greater resilience of households in poverty.
By having a greater level of security and legal certainty of individual or collective tenure and better access to land administration services, families can make more appropriate decisions about the fate of their assets, such as investing to make their capital more productive, helping to reduce local disputes or strengthening their involvement in local decision-making spaces.
The characteristics of a sustainable livelihood
The DFID defines a sustainable livelihood (SL) based on capabilities, assets (both material and social resources) and activities required for living. A livelihood is sustainable when it can cope with and recover from stresses and shocks and maintain or enhance its capabilities and assets both now and in the future, while not undermining natural resource bases.
Livelihoods can therefore be affected by external factors which increase their resilience and consequently reduce their vulnerability.
Notes
1 Chambers, R., & Conway, G. (1991).
2 DFID. (1999).
3 DFID. (1999). World Bank (2007).
Proposed methodology
External links and bibliography
- Voluntary guidelines on the responsible governance of tenure of land, fisheries and forests
- Land governance assessment framework
- Global land tool network: land administration and information
- Sustainable livelihoods guidance sheets
- Global Land Indicators Initiative (GLII)
Extra sections
With the patronage
