Fields of Observation and Methodological Focus of RLS

Three Focuses of a Livelihood Analysis

To identify the patterns of livelihoods and the specific conditions of poverty, with its constraints and potentials, the SDC puts forward a structured analysis that has three foci. The first two refer to:

the context (macro level), and
the core (micro level) of livelihoods.

Open the figure in the right hand column and look at what the core and context of livelihoods refer to:

Context and Core of Livelihood Systems

When translated into the SDC's adapted DFID framework and the RLS, the threefold focus contains the context and core of livelihoods, as well as a third focus:

Focus I: refers to the key elements in the context of a livelihood system.
Focus II: refers to the asset portfolio of a livelihood system.
Focus III: refers to the decision making space in which people develop and/or adapt their livelihood strategies and strive for outcomes reflecting their own perception of the internal and external realities of their livelihoods.

Look at the animation in the right-hand column paying special attention to the three foci of a livelihood analysis again step by step:

Approaching Livelihoods with Threefold Focus