SWOT Analysis

One way to identify pathways forward is to undertake a Livelihoods SWOT Analysis with the community and relevant partners. SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. Much of the information to support a SWOT analysis will come from the Understanding the Context Stage through the Assessment of the Livelihood Capital, Enabling Environment, and Vulnerability Context.

An Adaptive Approach

Today, most people working in marine and coastal conservation are aware of the need for adaptive management. The same approach needs to be used to address sustainable livelihoods. An adaptive livelihood approach needs to respond to a complex array of environmental, economic, and social challenges and risks. Importantly, an adaptive livelihood approach will build resilience in the community, which in turn strengthens its Enabling Environment and promotes sustainability. 

Monitoring and evaluation of outcomes and impacts will be critical to determining the success of your livelihood initiatives. Further, a successful initiative – one that is enhancing livelihoods sustainably – not only will generate positive livelihood outcomes but will also have a positive impact on Livelihood Capitals and/or on the Enabling Environment. This will open more opportunities and, thus, successful interventions will need to be adapted considering these changes.

Some elements that may need to be monitored to enable an adaptive livelihood initiative include:

• Biophysical (loss of access to resources, environmental change, and constraints);

• Political/legal (impacts of new laws, promotion of governmental ideals);

• Economic (improved income, increased perceived needs, changes in opportunities);

• Social (changes in interaction patterns, values, or well-being);

• Cultural (changes in traditional practices and beliefs); and

• Psychological (stress, outlook).

Designing, implementing, monitoring, and adapting a sustainable livelihoods strategy for a coastal community – is a significant undertaking. Partner with others, learn from others, and, most importantly, collaborate with your local community to align the conservation of marine and coastal areas with the livelihood aspirations of the community.