Inclusive Livelihoods in the context of the HI Strategy South Asia Desk Seminar Bangkok, Thailand October 2011

HI Strategy – some key elements Supporting the most vulnerable and excluded Achieving a measurable impact Demonstrating our impact on the living conditions of our beneficiary populations A leader in development of services and access to services

Principles of intervention “Our choices…are guided first and foremost by the desire to have the greatest possible and measurable impact on the lives of our final beneficiaries” “Our action focuses primarily on the most vulnerable populations and those most exposed to risk, as well as on victims of discrimination and exclusion” Are we doing this? How do we know?

Livelihoods Livelihoods and social protection. “Handicap International will focus field action and knowledge-sharing on access to livelihoods through employment and social protection mechanisms.” …. Ok…

Raise the bar. Increase the quality we expect from livelihood projects …even in “little component” Increase the number of sector projects to ensure adequate resources for good-quality projects Capitalize existing tools for measuring vulnerability and quality of life P RI O RI TI E S

Strengthen linkages between ILD and sector projects Strengthen links with rehab and health sectors Work more in consortium with mainstream Consolidate advocacy at intl level Analyze our strengths with other populations (PLHIV, more vulnerable)

Often, livelihoods is priority for Pwd Microfinance sector -> innovation, focus on poor and excluded, accessibility, illiteracy… Business development services exist Community based mobilization … CBR / community field workers or volunteer networks exit

Definition of livelihoods

Livelihoods Employment/ Self-employment Social assistance / social security Skills development Financial services

For HI, seven axes of work Modality 1 - Supporting the setting up of an individual livelihood project Modality 2 - Developing businesses and the capacities of entrepreneurs Modality 3 - Promoting access to appropriate financial resources Modality 4 - Constructing a favourable environment for the livelihood of people with disabilities Modality 5 - Promoting access to technical and professional training / other skills

Modality 6 - Supporting job- seekers Modality 7 - Supporting employers in the recruitment of people with disabilities Does this approach/project have the greatest possible and measurable impact on the lives of our final beneficiaries? Does this approach/project reaches the most vulnerable populations? Have we planned for the adequate human and financial resources to be able to implement it?

Individual level

Coaching  definition of economic project Selection committee  approval/refusal of PwD project Livelihood improvement Awareness and identification of potential beneficiaries Financial partner  obtain a loan Training  loan, basic management Follow up  day to day coaching

Decision makers Users Service providers System level

Mainstream services Vocational training centers Business development services Microfinance Rural development / agriculture offices Continuing education programs Job placement / mediation bureaus Social security Support services Personal assistant Sign language interpreter Technological support Social facilitators Inclusive system of livelihood services Specialized services Sheltered workshop Social assistance Specialized training center Savings and credit groups of PwD Services level

INFORMATION AWARENESS TRAINING ATTITUDES PRACTICES KNOWLEDGE COACHING CHANGE INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND PRACTICES ADVOCACY POLICIES working with mainstream livelihood service providers

Information Awareness raising Training Advocacy Coaching Impact in sustainable change of practice and policies Number of stakeholders you can reach Make sure the type of intervention matches the project’s resources and indicators…. Eg AVOID! -Objective: Support PwD to increase their income -Activity: carry out awareness raising sessions for 25 NGO - Indicator: 50 PwD are employed by the NGO

Looking at indicators # kits distributed # persons referred # persons received training how does this translate into quality of life? Wouldn’t it better to report on increases on: -Profit and household budget - Self confidence -Social participation - Nutrition, access to school…? - Ability to make decisions on one’s life?

Project focus: Cambodia Livelihoods sector project… with a holistic approach Access to mainstream and specialized services ……. + direct service provision by project / support service Coaching of local partner and handover Adequate resources Individual/family needs + policies at local level Dissemination

Measurable Impact on Quality of Life SB profit and linkage to HH budgetHas the profit from SB had an the impact on the HH budget? EducationPercentage of children from 6-11 years of age that missed school at least one month (except holiday) in the past year FoodAbility to access (buy or grow) the appropriate food for a nutritious diet all year round (safe water + rice + vegetable + fish or other source of protein) HealthAccess to quality medical care when a family member is sick HousingGeneral condition of the house Electronic equipmentElectronic equipment owned by the family Capability related to technical/business skillsTechnical knowledge (business, vocational) that can be used for business Capability to invest in key areas of lifeAbility to direct your income to your priorities (health, food, education, debt payment…) Self-confidenceAssessment of the person of her own capacities to take decisions on her life and find solutions to problems (generally, not just related to the SB) Participation in family lifeParticipation in family events and decision-making Participation in community lifeParticipation in social, cultural, religious and political events in the community Overall satisfaction with my lifePerception of current situation and confidence in future (sustainability)

In summary… Personalised social support + inclusive system of services + policies Linkages with different sectors+ cross cutting approaches Supporting the most vulnerable and excluded Achieving a measurable impact Demonstrating our impact on the living conditions of our beneficiary populations