Sustainable Livelihoods
Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) is a holistic strength-based framework that helps individuals and communities build their resilience and their social and economic security. The SL framework takes into account the impact of social and economic exclusion on people’s lives, as well as systemic factors that influence the ability of individuals and communities to exercise choice, make decisions, and build and maintain various asset areas.
Initially created in an international development context, the SL framework has been in use by community service and social justice practitioners in Canada for over 25 years. The framework can be customized to support program development, organizational growth and strategy, community development, research, evaluation and advocacy efforts of non-profit organizations and social enterprises.
What is a Livelihood?
A livelihood is more than a job. It includes:
- Social inclusion and citizenship – participation in the economy and society and belonging
- Empowerment and independence – ability to make decisions and control finances
- Economic and social security – adequate income and equitable opportunities
A livelihood is sustainable when it can…
- Reduce vulnerability and build resilience to cope with and recover from stressors and shocks
- Maintain and enhance capabilities and assets of individuals and communities over time
Key Elements of the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
The Vulnerability Context
All people, organizations, and communities are affected by factors they do not control. Applying the SL framework often begins with an exploration of the issues that create and perpetuate people’s vulnerability to social and economic exclusion. These unique vulnerability factors are identified at both individual and systemic levels and addressed through strategic interventions that can help create short-term and long-term change.
Assets
The SL framework is strongly focused on identifying and building existing assets in six broad asset areas: basic needs, connections, money, identity, skills/knowledge, and health. We use the process of asset mapping to identify the strengths of individuals and communities. By moving away from a deficits-based approach, asset mapping helps individuals, organizations and community to build on their existing strengths. Asset mapping can also identify areas where additional support can help reduce vulnerability and build resilience.
The Stages of Livelihood Development
Creating a sustainable livelihood not always a straightforward process. The SL framework considers the different stages of livelihood development that people move through as they build assets, and respects the realities of people’s lives as they progress, stall, and sometimes move backwards in their work towards greater social and economic inclusion. We meet people, organizations and communities where they are, and we explore the development of asset building and livelihoods strategies that are uniquely suited to their current context.
The SL approach especially helps to support individuals, organizations and communities to build their internal capacity and ownership within the change-making process. We also support them as they advocate for improved conditions that can support long-term change.
The Policy and Institutional Context
The SL framework highlights how systemic and structural barriers have a direct impact on the ability of individuals, organizations and communities to build and maintain their assets. These barriers may include cultural or social norms, policies and institutional practices that intersect in unpredictable ways.
The SL approach can help organizations build a policy and systems-change agenda to reduce social and economic exclusion and build sustainable livelihoods strategies for all.