This theme is about how development interventions can effectively reach people living in poverty, especially the poorest, and sustainably improve their wellbeing and livelihoods. In SDC’s understanding, poverty is a multifaceted phenomenon that touches all areas of life, undermining human dignity. This theme is thus devoted to understanding this multifacetedness – especially to listening to the voices and views of people living in poverty themselves. Read more >>>

This theme is about the importance ofhaving an informed and differentiated understanding of who is poor and where they are – coupled with an understanding of poverty dynamics - if policy is to be effective in tackling poverty and creating an enabling environment for pro-poor growth. The theme examines the range of policies that might be considered pro-poor, highlightingchallenges in supporting policy formation and implementation and shares SDC experience in this regard. Read more >>>

Livelihood approaches emerged in the 1990s in search of a focus on human wellbeing and sustainability, as a holistic framework for analyzing the factors that influence men and women in fulfilling their livelihoods, reflecting their perceptions of poverty and well-being. This theme explores several such approaches through an interactive learning module and the guide "Putting a Livelihood Perspective into Practice", and shares practical experiences from SDC and partners in their implementation. Read more >>>

Empowerment is seen by many development agencies as a core aspect of their work, although definitions and approaches are varied. This theme presents an overview of debates surrounding the different definitions and conceptual approaches to empowerment and explores a number of conceptual issues which have practical implications. This theme also addresses the operationalisation of empowerment in development practice andshares SDC experiences. Read more >>>

How do people living in poverty perceive their lives?
In order to gain a deeper, locally specific understanding of poverty, SDC has over the years commissioned a number of investigations in different countries, asking local people to give their own perceptions of what it is like to be poor. These studies were undertaken specifically to inform and strengthen the poverty focus of SDC's activities in each of the countries concerned; their purpose was not to contribute to cross-country comparisons. Nevertheless it is striking how local perceptions are at once both "the same but different"… Read more >>>
Putting a Livelihood Perspective into Practice: Systemic Approach to Rural Development
We are pleased to announce the launch of "Putting a Livelihood Perspective into Practice", aguide that builds on the use of a sustainable livelihood approach and describes a way to put such an approach into practice. It guides livelihood analysis, appraisal and planning in rural areas with the aim of assisting in the design and re-orientation of development interventions. Such a Systemic Approach to Rural Development (SARD) offers the establishment of a holistic and differentiated understanding of poverty, livelihood patterns and relations between stakeholders in a rural setting. Read more >>>	Putting a Livelihood Perspective into Practice Download (PDF, 1825 KB):[en]
SDCExperience andPractice on Empowerment
Empowerment represents both a goal and a method for SDC in its work. It is an emancipation process in which the disadvantaged are empowered to exercise their rights, obtain access to resources, and participate actively in the process of shaping society and making decisions. Different understandings and practices of empowerment can be found within SDC, several of which (including initiatives in Latin America, West Africa and the Mekong) we are pleased to highlight. Read more >>>