Income, capabilities and participation
Livelihood support should connect people's capabilities with opportunities that can sustain income. THESO's approach combines an understanding of household circumstances, local demand and the institutions that shape economic participation, with particular attention to barriers faced by women, young people and people affected by crisis.
Different households need different routes towards greater economic security. Some need to restore productive assets or stabilise income; others need skills, business support or better access to customers. Programme design begins by examining these circumstances alongside market demand, competition, transport, care responsibilities and the time and resources people can realistically commit.
We define support around a credible pathway from participation to economic activity. Training, equipment, finance or mentoring should have a clear purpose within that pathway. Local organisations, employers and service providers can contribute distinct roles, with transparent participant selection, practical follow-up and mechanisms for addressing complaints or unintended effects throughout the programme.
The work in practice
Identify occupations and services for which there is reasonable evidence of demand before selecting a training offer. Match learning to entry requirements, practical competence and available equipment. Explore supervised work experience or employer engagement where feasible, and track what participants are able to do with the skills acquired.
Support participants to understand customers, costs, pricing, cash flow and the risks of their chosen activity. Combine productive support with mentoring that responds to actual business decisions. Assess whether grants, equipment or other assistance are appropriate to the enterprise stage and the conditions attached to the financing agreement.
Examine barriers to savings, payments, market information and other services needed for daily economic activity. Where financial-service referrals are appropriate, work through suitable authorised providers and clear consumer information. Participation should not depend on taking unaffordable debt, surrendering unnecessary personal data or accepting unclear commercial terms.
Account for disability, care work, displacement and the constraints of households with limited labour or assets. Adapt delivery schedules and support where practical. Follow changes in income alongside household pressures and decision-making, and ensure that economic activities do not create avoidable protection risks or harmful workloads.
Evidence & learning
These questions guide programme design and review. They are areas to measure, not claims of achieved results.
Partner in this focus area
We welcome partnerships with local organisations, training institutions, employers, business networks and responsible financial-service providers. A useful arrangement connects the support offered with actual opportunities and defines who provides follow-up. Funders and delivery partners should agree how to assess economic progress, inclusion and household resilience without treating attendance at training as evidence of income gains.
Discuss livelihoods & economic empowermentConnected priorities