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Sustainable livelihoods
Sustainable Livelihoods and Adaptive Capabilities
We work with livelihoods as dynamic, socially embedded systems, strengthening people’s capabilities to navigate change, risk and uncertainty through learning, governance and locally grounded decision-making.
Sustainable livelihoods are built by recognising and strengthening the assets, capabilities and relationships people already have. They are dynamic and socially embedded, shaped by access to resources, institutions, power and learning over time.
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By focusing on skills, enterprise and innovation, rather than deficits or short-term income, this approach expands economic opportunity, supports responsible natural resource use, and advances social inclusion, gender equality and community cohesion.
Strengthening these foundations enables people to adapt to change, manage risk and make informed decisions that shape their livelihoods and futures. The diagram below illustrates how this process works in practice.
Sazani advances sustainable livelihoods through interconnected programmes, partnerships and sectors, grounded in a Global Social Learning (GSL) approach. GSL recognises that lasting change depends on learning, dialogue and collective action across communities, institutions and systems. It supports people to understand their context, reflect on change and build adaptive capability over time.
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Step 1. Assets and systems
We begin by identifying existing livelihood assets and strengths, human, social, natural, physical and institutional, alongside risks, constraints and power dynamics. This creates a shared understanding of how livelihoods function within wider social, economic and ecological systems.
Step 2. Learning and capabilities
Learning pathways are co-designed to strengthen technical, social and adaptive capabilities. Practice-based learning builds confidence, agency and problem-solving skills, enabling people to respond to change and uncertainty.
Step 3. Enterprise and economic pathways
Capabilities are translated into livelihood and enterprise opportunities through experimentation, mentoring and peer learning. This supports people to navigate markets, manage risk and develop viable economic pathways.
Step 4. Environmental stewardship
Livelihood strategies are aligned with sustainable natural resource management. Local ecological knowledge is combined with environmental planning to link income generation with conservation, restoration and nature-based solutions.
Step 5. Inclusion, power and collective agency
Across all stages, attention is given to social inclusion, gender equality and governance. Barriers to participation are addressed, voice is strengthened and shared decision-making is supported so communities can influence the systems shaping their livelihoods.
Step 6. Partnerships and adaptive governance
Learning is embedded through partnerships with communities, schools, civil society and public institutions. This supports adaptive governance, trust-building and continued learning, helping livelihood outcomes endure beyond individual projects.
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