FINAL REPORT

implementation by many organizations in the field of development cooperation (Krüger
2003:11).
According to Chambers and Conway (1991:6), a livelihood comprises “the capabilities, assets
[…] and activities required for a means of 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 the natural resource base“ (Carney
1998:4). The overall goal of the SLA is the reduction of vulnerability and poverty, based on
sustainable use of livelihood assets. It prioritises policies and institutions 2 that reflect poor
people’s needs and priorities, rather than those of the elite.
Figure 1: Sustainable Livelihoods Framework
Source: www.Livelihoods.org(assessed on 23.08.2006)
The approach is based on a framework which enables to analyze theactors’ assets,options and
restraints (see Fig. 1). The tangible and intangible assets which certain people or groups have
access to, are at the core of the framework. In general, households are taken as analytical unit 3
and research, planning and implementation is based on a participatory approach. The
households have access to certain types of livelihood assets including human, natural,
financial, social and physical capital. In developing countries, many households aren’t able to
survive on just one livelihood activity. Therefore, many households tend to diversify their
strategies, aiming at reducing vulnerability. Access to assets fluctuates due to frequent
changes in the structural, institutional or natural environment. Therefore another crucial part
2 According to Radcliffe-Brown (1940:9) institutions are understood as „standardized patterns of behaviour”.
They comprise formal and informal rules of society.
3 In specific situation it is necessary to consider also gender aspects or the role of social and ethnic groups
(Chambers/Conway 1991:6).
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