People and skills

This refers to the availability of individual people, groups, families, tribes or the whole community, and if the required skills and knowledge can be found within or outside the community. This also includes ensuring activities are culturally appropriate.

What people and skills are required for this livelihood, and how much time would each person need to work?

• Will this livelihood be undertaken individually? If so, what skills do you need?
• Will this livelihood be undertaken as a group or family? If so, what people are needed to carry out the livelihood? 
• Will the jobs of men and women in this livelihood differ?
• What sort of skills would each person need?
• How much time would each person need to work?
• What compensation, salary or other things would each person need?
• Are you certain these people will always be available or replaceable?
• Are women and youth able to participate, and do they have the time available?
• What might cause people to lose interest and how could this be avoided?

How will you ensure you have the people, skills and permissions you need to manage the livelihood?

• Do you have the skills required or are the skills available locally? If not, how would you get these skills?
• Have you got or can you get basic financial, accounting or budgeting skills?
• Will you need to pay for training or can skills be acquired in cheaper ways?
• How can you avoid relying on just a few people that have key skills?
• Who will make decisions and how will they be made? Who will watch progress?
• Will there be any special involvement of church, women and youth?
• Have you got community members’ and leaders’ support and permission?

What steps will need to be taken to ensure the livelihood is sustainable in the future?

• How will people’s feelings or support change when benefits start flowing?
• How can you ensure that continued community support and conflicts are avoided?
• Will neighbouring areas be affected and can harm be reduced?
• Do people understand that for a business to work some of the income has to be put back into running the business?
• How will requests for loans or free products or benefits be handled?
• Could the livelihood damage community or culture? Will it affect other people?