Harnessing Community Capitals for Livelihood Enhancement: Experiences From a Livelihood Program in Rural Uganda

Abstract

This study assesses how community capitals can be harnessed to improve food security using the “sustainable livelihoods” and “community capitals” frameworks. We demonstrate how the dimensions of these frameworks can be measured and applied in development work. Data were collected using participatory methods in four communities comprised of 500 households in rural Kamuli District, Uganda, where food and nutrition insecurity have been a serious problem. Results indicated high levels of land degradation linked to high population densities and resource constraints. Compared to cultural capital, existing social capital levels were relatively inadequate for development activities. The condition of physical capital varied among the communities. Community members also generated indicators of income, food and nutrition security which were used to rate the status of each participating household. The information collected guided the setting of priority program interventions. Lessons learned from use of the participatory methods are also discussed.