Who We Are
Founded in 2019, Sustainable Livelihoods Canada (SLC) is a national, not-for-profit social enterprise. Applying the holistic strengths-based Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) framework, we support individuals and communities to build their resilience and capacity to achieve social and economic security. In solidarity with diverse changemakers, we are building a movement for systemic change to create the conditions that support sustainable livelihoods for all.
The Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approach emerged from research at the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) in the United Kingdom with a focus on international development. IDS research identified and explored changes in a range of areas, to capture a whole picture of livelihood building strategies and activities.
SLC adapted the approach to the Canadian context grounded in the recognition that external forces beyond people’s control can significantly impact their ability to move forward. Through this lens, SLC has been able to clearly document the systemic abandonment of vulnerable populations by Canadian institutions and policies. A “sustainable livelihood” means more than simply having a job. It encompasses people’s inclusion and full participation in society and the economy. It also means that people recognize and enhance their inherent resilience to weather life’s challenges.
SLC’s Mission-driven activity
We focus on five areas of activity:
Sustainable Livelihoods Education
We train frontline staff, managers, and leadership teams to fully understand and embed the Sustainable Livelihoods approach. We offer tailored workshops and coaching to ensure that the framework is deeply understood and easily translated into operational work.
Evaluation Using SL
Our experienced associates work with staff to design customized evaluations that help support current program work, report back to funders on key successes, and build internal capacity. We also help organizations deepen their own understanding of the value of evaluation, and support them as they conduct research activities and pilot new strategies.
Research
SLC values community-engaged research, and has a long history of empowering peer researchers who are part of the communities in which we work. This approach brings the lived experience of people experiencing social and economic exclusion to the forefront of our activities and centers them in our research.
Knowledge Sharing
We produce informative, innovative and useful reports that combine rigorous quantitative data with illustrative stories. We also connect SL-using organizations in communities of practice, helping to build both their internal capacity as well as the sector-wide familiarity and usage of the SL framework.
Building Engagement
SLC is a longtime champion for social and economic inclusion, and we have a deep understanding of the Canadian context. We work with partners, clients and other stakeholders to advocate for changes to policies that create or perpetuate barriers for people living on low incomes.