Livelihood Mapping is a methodical process that provides an opportunity to the practitioners to assess various opportunities to strengthen the existing livelihood choices and at the same time, identify new opportunities to strengthen the livelihood base of the individual, household and the community.
This methodology enables the practitioners to- enhance the understanding on the gaps in the existing livelihoods in the area of operation;
- build awareness about the various opportunities in the livelihoods that are locally being practiced or have a potential;
- gain a sense of the emerging livelihoods in the area; and
- develop a road map on promoting various community-based institutions to enhance access to livelihood support services.
One of the important challenges that India is facing is creating livelihoods for a very large population. Livelihood promotion is a complex process as livelihoods are influenced by various factors including skills, resources that a household possesses, availability and access to various external resources such as natural, physical, social, human and financial resources. Due to limited access to knowledge and understanding on livelihood promotion, many Livelihood Promoting Organizations (LPOs) struggle to achieve their objectives of their livelihood promotion efforts. It is essential to have a systematic knowledge on the process of livelihood promotion which is possible by assessing the multiple factors that affect any given livelihood.
ILRTs experience in Livelihood program and mappingILRT has conducted Livelihood Mapping and studies across the country for various agencies. Some agencies for which Livelihood Mapping has been conducted by ILRT –
Ford Foundation, Tata Trusts, IFAD, Helvetas Swiss Inter-cooperation, Hivos, UNDP, GIZ, The World Bank, and Department & Agencies of Government of India such as SFAC, NABARD, NRLM, CARE, Oxfam, Grameen Foundation USA, Plan International, Sightsavers, World Vision, International Fiscal Studies, etc