Learning our Lessons: A Review of Alternative Livelihood Projects in Central Africa
The study found that a range of different livelihood alternatives (for both protein and income) is currently being offered. A high proportion of projects are being run by national NGOs, and the majority of projects show a desire to involve communities in the design, implementation and management of these projects. Both suggest a high level of localism in project management and design, which may have a positive effect on project sustainability. However, many projects are funded through small, short-term grants, and are struggling to meet their objectives with the available time, funding and capacity.
Information relevant to Learning Questions:
Are enabling conditions in place to support a sustainable enterprise?
- Stakeholder alignment, diversification
- Market demand, profit potential, access to credit/capital
- Ownership, governance
- Business alliances
- Financial management capacity, technical capacity
- Inputs, equipment, infrastructure
- Benefit sharing, targeted participants, biodiversity linkage, policies for and enforcement of resource use
Does the enterprise lead to benefits to stakeholders?
- Increased income for participants
- Non-cash benefits
Do the benefits lead to positive changes in attitudes and behavior?
- Attitudes regarding sustainable use of resources
- Behaviors regarding sustainable use of resources
Does a change in stakeholders’ behaviors lead to a reduction to threats to biodiversity (or restoration)?
- Biological resource use
Does a reduction in threats (or restoration) lead to conservation?
- Species
Enterprise Types:
- Crops
- Livestock: pigs, goats, cattle, sheep, impala, duiker, poultry, cane rat, snails, rabbits, guinea pigs
- Aquaculture and mariculture
- Other natural products: beekeeping
Document type
- Case-study
- Report
