Overview
This project aimed to establish the strengthened networks, integrated governance and policy, and diagnostic framework to implement an Integrated Livelihoods Approach.
Livelihood improvement projects are often sectoral, missing cumulative impacts and feedback between sectors and livelihoods. They also tend to focus on individuals and households, missing broader-scale diversification opportunities and outcomes. This small research activity aimed to address these limitations by establishing an Integrated Livelihoods Approach (ILA) to guide scientists, practitioners and decision-makers engaged in livelihood improvement project planning and assessment to achieve three desired outcomes in Pacific coastal communities: (1) a fair and just society, (2) sustainable natural resource use, and (3) resilient livelihoods. The initial framework for the ILA was developed via a workshop hosted by Dr Amy Diedrich from James Cook University and Dr Hampus Eriksson from WorldFish/ANCORS, held in Townsville, Australia, in November 2019. The workshop drew on the expertise of a scientific panel of twelve experts in Pacific livelihoods with research interests related to key industries operating in the Pacific Islands
The ILA provides an approach to diagnose and help navigate interrelated and cumulative impacts, trade-offs and co-benefits of interacting livelihood activities occurring in spatially defined coastal areas. Participatory and interdisciplinary research, integrated governance, negotiation, trust-building, ongoing conflict management, and cross-sectoral and political engagement are central to the ILA.
This project established the mechanisms for achieving the strengthened networks, integrated governance and policy, and improved planning required to implement an ILA in the Western Province, Solomon Islands, with the potential to scale up to other locations.
