عنوان

Rebuilding livelihoods of the poor affected by conflict through donor-led market-based approaches :

Number

TLets754474

Title Proper

Rebuilding livelihoods of the poor affected by conflict through donor-led market-based approaches :

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Butterworth, Ruth Rutendo

Title Proper by Another Author

the case of Liberia

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Sutherland, Alistair ; Onumah, Gideon

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

University of Greenwich

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2015

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

University of Greenwich

Text preceding or following the note

2015

Text of Note

A pro-poor market-based approach has increasingly been adopted by INGOs as a livelihoods rebuilding strategy following destructive armed-conflicts. However, there remains a gap in knowledge of the feasibility of such an approach in post-conflict contexts. This research seeks to address this gap. It questions whether pro-poor and donor-led market-based approaches work within post-conflict environments and, if so, under what conditions? The results are from an analysis of case study-based data collected from twenty-one microenterprise groups from three diverse counties of Liberia, six years after the armed conflict. The research reveals that local context in post-conflict environments play an important role in the extent to which a market-based approach might achieve its underlying objectives of broad-based, sustainability and growth enterprises. On one hand, the losses and changes in the entitlement systems of the poor restrict their ability to both operate and to potentially sustain market-based livelihoods promoted through donor-led initiatives beyond the period of direct support. On the other, the extent to which conflict affects local market-systems also shapes outcomes of a post-conflict market-based approach. Shortcomings within the private and government sectors hinder application of market-based principles by increasing the role of the INGO to more than a facilitating role, thus further compromising sustainability of microenterprises. Positively, results suggest that, in spite of low income gains, a market based approach holds potential to empower direct beneficiaries through skills gains, improve their self-esteem and contribute towards peacebuilding within local communities. To further advance this field of research, future donor-led programme design and implementation needs to balance the post-conflict reconstruction urgency with context-specificity, not only that related to the target groups, but also the extent to which the wider and immediate market environment are able to support a market-based approach. Hurried actions risk exclusion of the most vulnerable groups in society through both direct and indirect factors arising from conflict. Yet, a broad-based economic development is essential in a post-conflict environment to reduce both underdevelopment and the risk to return to war.

JQ Political institutions Asia

JZ International relations

Butterworth, Ruth Rutendo

Onumah, Gideon

Sutherland, Alistair

University of Greenwich

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y