MODULE 7
Analysis of linkages

Why analyse linkages?

Analysis of linkages between local institutions and livelihoods is the most important step in the mission process. This is where mission members get the opportunity to cross-check the validity of their assumptions and to draw implications for project design or implementation or evaluation.

Module 7 - Checklist 7 - Guide for brainstorming on linkages between local institutions and livelihoods
Key linkages	What to look for - key questions
Between local institutions and asset distribution	How do local institutions affect access of different categories of households and of women and men, young and old, to land, water and natural resources? To other types of assets (e.g., livestock equipment, financial capital, education)?
Between local institutions and the vulnerability context	How do local institutions increase or decrease vulnerability of different categories of people to outside shocks? Role of local institutions in risk mitigation or risk sharing (if any)
Between the vulnerability context and asset ownership	How do shocks and stresses affect the distribution of assets between different categories of households (and members within each type of household)?
Between assets and capacity to withstand shocks	When a shock strikes the whole community, why are some households able to keep from falling into poverty, or even gain, while others are impoverished? What is the role of different types of assets in protecting different categories of households from falling into poverty in the face of shocks?
Between assets and livelihood options	How assets affect the range of livelihood options open to different categories of people?
Between local institutions and livelihood options	How do local institutions affect the livelihood options of different categories of households (especially the poor)? Does group membership widen options? Role of extended kin networks in widening livelihood choices Connections with influential people outside the community
Between local institutions and livelihood protection/ recovery	How do local institutions influence households' ability to protect their livelihoods against shocks? To recover from shocks? Role of formal group membership Role of traditional institutions Role of extended kin networks Role of connections with influential people outside the community
Between local institutions and livelihood outcomes	How do local institutions influence livelihood outcomes of different people? Are poor households sheltered by kin networks or informal social safety nets? Use of social and political membership/ connections for personal gains

Analysis of linkages should first be done as an informal, all-day brainstorming session among the members the project design, supervision or evaluation mission and their local counterparts. Relationships can be mapped by writing key factors on cards, sticking the cards on to a wall in a pattern, and drawing lines between cards to show lines of influence. If time permits, it is recommended that mission members repeat the process - in abbreviated form - with wider stakeholders, as part of the mission's wrap-up meeting. The team should use the analysis of linkages to identify key issues to be addressed and action to be taken by the project.

MODULE 7 Analysis of linkages

MODULE 7
Analysis of linkages