Development of a village-level livelihood monitoring tool: A case-study in Viengkham District, Lao PDR
Loading...
Issue Date
2012
Editor
Authors
Belcher, Brian
Bastide, F
Castella, Jean-Christophe
Boissiere, Manuel
License
Subject
Participatory monitoring and evaluation (Project management)
Conservation
Adaptive natural resource management
Conservation
Adaptive natural resource management
Abstract
Effective monitoring is a fundamental requirement for adaptive management. The need for better tools for monitoring livelihoods is particularly
acute. A simple indicators-based livelihoods monitoring tool to be used at the village scale was developed and tested. Participatory
methods were used to elicit local perceptions and aspirations about development and conservation. That information was used to develop a
prototype set of indicators, organized using the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework. Data were collected for the indicators in six villages to
calibrate and test the tool. Indicators of financial and physical capital worked well. Social capital and natural capital were more difficult to
capture with low-cost indicators. Most of the indicators are applicable in rural areas of the district and beyond. Despite some shortcomings, the
tool shows good potential as a way to focus attention on key aspects of rural development and as a way to inform and facilitate discussion and
negotiation between communities and other stakeholders.
Description
The definitive version of record of this article is available at https://doi.org/10.1505/146554813805927174.