Applying livelihood approaches to Natural Resource Management initiatives: experiences in Namibia and Kenya

Reviews different uses of livelihoods analysis in four projects/programmes, and identifies lessons learnt on the application of a livelihoods approach. All four examples explored how rural livelihoods affect and are affected by natural resource management (NRM) initiatives.

The main values of a livelihoods approach that emerge from these four applications are that:

• it provides an explicit focus on what matters to poor people
• it synthesises perspective of different disciplines
• it broadens the scope of enquiry from cash flows, direct impacts and positive impacts to other important issues
• the SL framework is a useful analytical tool
• livelihoods analysis generates practical recommendations to enhance the design and implementation of initiatives.

The main challenges that emerge are:

• limitations in the framework (complexity and gaps)
• difficulties for partners in implementing the approach
• high resource inputs needed
• the difficulties of quantifying contributions to livelihoods.

Finally, in the four cases reviewed here, experience of using a livelihoods approach in one enhanced the next. This confirms the value of reflecting on and sharing practical experience of applying a livelihoods approach.