Consider organizing a facilitated workshop with community representatives to undertake a SWOT analysis. A sustainable livelihoods SWOT workshop with the community can be split into two parts – one looking inside the community to identify internal Strengths and Weaknesses and one looking outside to identify external Opportunities and Threats. Be sure to utilize the information collected in the Understanding the Context Stage during the SWOT analysis process.

Part 1: Strengths and Weaknesses

Factors that are internal to the community and the coastal ecosystem. Begin by focusing on Strengths to encourage a positive, ‘can do’ approach. Include a review of the potential to use the community’s Livelihood Capital to attain the shared goals, e.g., the natural capital of the coastal ecosystem that can support livelihoods. Then explore Weaknesses within the community, your organization and your partnership that limit your ability to attain shared goals. 

• Identifying and discussing weaknesses will enable the participants to be self-reflective and see what gaps need to be addressed. 

• It may also identify solutions which had not been previously considered.

Part 2: Opportunities and Threats

Factors that are external to the community and the ecosystem. Begin the second part of the workshop on Threats and end with Opportunities so that the analysis finishes on a positive note. 

• For Threats discussion: Explore external vulnerabilities, policy barriers, and institutional challenges that may threaten the sustainability of livelihoods. Many of these may be outside of your control or the control of the community

• For Opportunities discussion: Focus on positive factors due to the Enabling Environment that may support new activities and enhance livelihoods. Consider the internal Strengths to identify steps to move forward

This exercise should produce a set of opportunities and actions that could promote the community’s visions for sustainable livelihoods. These could include observation such as the following:

• Opportunities for livelihood enhancement and diversification including those that support:

  • enhancing existing livelihood strategies

  • new or improved employment

  • business development

• Opportunities for promoting factors that promote livelihood change, and for addressing factors that inhibit livelihood change, include those that support: 

  • improving influencing conditions

– e.g., confidence, social norms, gender bias

• improving access to supporting services

– e.g., education, health care, sanitation