How livelihoods of the poor can be strengthened

The two-day Livelihoods India Summit being held in New Delhi brings together about 400 delegates with an aim to foster deliberations on issues relating to livelihoods promotion of the poor.

New Delhi

About 400 delegates, over 90 sector leaders, 20 exclusively curated sessions and associated events… the Livelihoods India Summit is bringing together stakeholders and experts from far and wide for a two-day event that aims to foster deliberations on issues relating to livelihoods promotion of the poor.

The summit, being organised by Access Development Services on January 17-18 in New Delhi, engages with a cross-section of stakeholders from the government, civil society organisations, multilateral and bilaterals, private sector and their CSRs, academia and sector leaders to integrate the poor into the mainstay economic milieu. 

Over the two days, the event will feature dialogue, discussions and debates to delve into various related issues, including the policy environment; large livelihoods programmes and their impacts; the potential of public and private institutions; and the shifts in the environment and trends that advance or impede the prospects of the poor. The sessions this year will include representation from senior government officials, multilateral and bilateral organisations, national and international civil society organisations, financial institutions, the private sector and research and academic institutions.

Launch of State of India’s Livelihoods (SOIL) report

Her Royal Highness the Infanta Doña Cristina of Spain, who oversees global health, humanitarian aid and development programmes in the most vulnerable countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, with over 690 projects in 65 countries implemented to date, as the Director of the International Area, “la Caixa” Foundation, will be awarding the Grants for Agroecology Program (GAP) Fund, at the valedictory session. This fund offers a unique opportunity to eligible entities to implement sustainable, inclusive and agroecological based value chain projects that can promote the development of an integrated food production ecosystem. The GAP Fund aims to leverage the market demand for sustainable foods by linking small scale producers to value chain actors that can reach these markets. 

The annual summit features stakeholders from the government, civil society organisations, private sector firms, academia and others. (Photo courtesy Access Development Services)

The inaugural session will begin with an address by Shombi Sharp, UN Resident Coordinator in India. It will also include the release of the State of India’s Livelihoods (SOIL) report. This report analyses, on a year-on-year basis, the policy initiatives of the government along with important and current issues in livelihoods promotion. 

Themes will revolve around agroecology-based enterprises, women-led development, water related livelihoods, urban livelihoods, the role of corporate social responsibility to advance sustainable development goals, innovation in the farm sector, inclusive livelihoods, care economy, digital interventions for entrepreneurship and agtech. 

Also Read: Local livelihoods curb exploitative labor trafficking

The lead image at the top shows weavers with the ‘hastatanta’ sarees made by them at Sarakapatna in Odisha. (Photo by Devashish Biswal) 

To participate in the summit, register here. You can avail a special 40 percent discount by using the code ‘LHISP40’ at checkout.