Participatory poverty and vulnerability assessment. April Cairo Participatory Poverty and Vulnerability Assessment for appropriate targeting and impact evaluation: The case of the Lower Usuthu Smallholder Irrigation Project in Swaziland

In this presentation Brief background to the LUSIP Brief background to the LUSIP What is the problem? What is the problem? Objectives of the study (PPVA) Objectives of the study (PPVA) Significance of the study (to achieving impact) Significance of the study (to achieving impact) Research methodology Research methodology Findings Findings What next? What next? Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Introduction LUSIP is an 8yr, US$190 million project. LUSIP is an 8yr, US$190 million project. Co –financed by IFAD, EC, EIB, BADEA, ADB, DBSA, IDCF and GoS Co –financed by IFAD, EC, EIB, BADEA, ADB, DBSA, IDCF and GoS Project goal – Poverty reduction and sustained improvement in living standards Project goal – Poverty reduction and sustained improvement in living standards Main Project components – (i) construction of a 155million cubic metre reservoir and on farm works to irrigate ha Main Project components – (i) construction of a 155million cubic metre reservoir and on farm works to irrigate ha (ii) establishment of farmer managed institutions to develop 11500ha of intensive commercial agriculture (ii) establishment of farmer managed institutions to develop 11500ha of intensive commercial agriculture Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

What is the problem? The LUSIP is primarily a poverty reduction initiative The LUSIP is primarily a poverty reduction initiative In-depth understanding of the poverty situation and its far ranging dimensions in the project area is indispensible. In-depth understanding of the poverty situation and its far ranging dimensions in the project area is indispensible. Available information on current levels of poverty is solely based on socio economic surveys (household, income /expenditure) that yield quantitative data collected on large generalized samples of homesteads Available information on current levels of poverty is solely based on socio economic surveys (household, income /expenditure) that yield quantitative data collected on large generalized samples of homesteads Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

The problem …… While this data is representative of conventional measures of poverty, it fails to capture the multi- dimensionality of poverty, crucial for strategic targeting, prioritizing and planning of interventions While this data is representative of conventional measures of poverty, it fails to capture the multi- dimensionality of poverty, crucial for strategic targeting, prioritizing and planning of interventions It also lacks the vital perspective of the local poor people on poverty for which poverty reduction strategies are meant for. It also lacks the vital perspective of the local poor people on poverty for which poverty reduction strategies are meant for. Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Problem …….. It fails to capture who the poor and vulnerable homesteads are. It fails to capture who the poor and vulnerable homesteads are. It is therefore difficult to ensure that the poorest in the community are the project beneficiaries It is therefore difficult to ensure that the poorest in the community are the project beneficiaries Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Objectives of the Participatory Poverty and Vulnerability study To explore the local concepts and perceptions of poverty, vulnerability and well being.( development of indicators of poverty vulnerability and well-being) To explore the local concepts and perceptions of poverty, vulnerability and well being.( development of indicators of poverty vulnerability and well-being) To identify the poor and vulnerable homesteads in the project area ( based on the local criteria for poverty) To identify the poor and vulnerable homesteads in the project area ( based on the local criteria for poverty) To determine whether there are any gender dimensions to the extent of poverty and vulnerability To determine whether there are any gender dimensions to the extent of poverty and vulnerability Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Significance of the study The study seeks to make valuable contribution on the following specific developmental issues: Framing and improving strategies for poverty reduction that will meet the needs of the poor. Framing and improving strategies for poverty reduction that will meet the needs of the poor. The poorest household will be identified in advance and the project will be at a better stead to deliver specific preferential interventions to them rather that the relatively non-poor households. The poorest household will be identified in advance and the project will be at a better stead to deliver specific preferential interventions to them rather that the relatively non-poor households. Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Significance of the study (2) The study establishes a baseline that can be used in the participatory monitoring and evaluation of livelihood change for all project participants as a measure accruing as a result of the project. The study establishes a baseline that can be used in the participatory monitoring and evaluation of livelihood change for all project participants as a measure accruing as a result of the project. By drawing attention to the poor and vulnerable, the study seeks to promote planning that integrates the poor and vulnerable in the development efforts with the view to redress gender imbalances that may emerge as a result of the project By drawing attention to the poor and vulnerable, the study seeks to promote planning that integrates the poor and vulnerable in the development efforts with the view to redress gender imbalances that may emerge as a result of the project Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Data gathering approach Focus group discussions with community representatives were conducted (representative of the different categories and shades of the population – i.e. men, women, youth, the educated, non-educated, etc.) Focus group discussions with community representatives were conducted (representative of the different categories and shades of the population – i.e. men, women, youth, the educated, non-educated, etc.) Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Data gathering tools Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo Semi-structured dialogue and well-being ranking were used interchangably Semi-structured dialogue and well-being ranking were used interchangably

Ethical considerations Informed consent and confidentiality Informed consent and confidentiality Well being/wealth ranking can be sensitive demanding the researcher to be sensitive in asking about wealth and poverty Well being/wealth ranking can be sensitive demanding the researcher to be sensitive in asking about wealth and poverty Adequate rapport with the community before undertaking the study. Adequate rapport with the community before undertaking the study. Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Findings Local perceptions of poverty: Without livestock Without livestock Inability to engage in crop production Inability to engage in crop production Housing in state of disrepair Housing in state of disrepair Use of candles for light with occasional ‘dark’nights Use of candles for light with occasional ‘dark’nights Lack of access to potable water and sanitation Lack of access to potable water and sanitation Poor health and inability to access medical services Poor health and inability to access medical services Inability to send children to school Inability to send children to school Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Local perceptions of vulnerability Child headed homesteads Child headed homesteads Homesteads headed by the elderly Homesteads headed by the elderly Homesteads headed by the chronically ill Homesteads headed by the chronically ill Homesteads headed by the disabled Homesteads headed by the disabled Women headed homesteads Women headed homesteads Homesteads without access to cultivation land Homesteads without access to cultivation land Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Local perceptions of well-being Large land holdings and involved in agriculture Large land holdings and involved in agriculture Do not lack candles or use electricity Do not lack candles or use electricity Have access to potable water Have access to potable water Children reach high school Children reach high school One or more homestead member in gainful employment One or more homestead member in gainful employment Have more than five herd of cattle Have more than five herd of cattle Even children have shoes Even children have shoes Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

PoorMiddleRichVulnerableTotal PoorTotal Othandweni Mkhononweni Mabondweni Mahaleni Luhlokohla Total Child HDisabled HWomen HLandless HElderly HChronic l ill H Othandweni Mkhononweni Mabondweni Mahaleni Luhlokohla Total Well-being/wealth ranking Vulnerable groups Example – Shongwe Chiefdom

So what? Evaluation of how current strategies targeting the poor are – does the project have specific and preferential interventions for the poor packaged by taking cognizance of their specific needs and circumstances? Is there a need for such? Evaluation of how current strategies targeting the poor are – does the project have specific and preferential interventions for the poor packaged by taking cognizance of their specific needs and circumstances? Is there a need for such? Community planning needs to integrate the poor and vulnerable in the development effort to redress gender imbalances that may emerge as a result of the project ( can be instrumental in placing the poor at the centre of planning endeavors) Community planning needs to integrate the poor and vulnerable in the development effort to redress gender imbalances that may emerge as a result of the project ( can be instrumental in placing the poor at the centre of planning endeavors) Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

So What? Active analysis of whether the project is responding to the needs of the poor and the extent to which it is reaching them in the project area is necessary. Active analysis of whether the project is responding to the needs of the poor and the extent to which it is reaching them in the project area is necessary. Use of this baseline information for evaluation of livelihood change for all households as a measure accruing as a result of the Use of this baseline information for evaluation of livelihood change for all households as a measure accruing as a result of the Participation of the poor and vulnerable groups - LUSIP. April Cairo

Thank you!