INBAR Livelihoods Development Working Group

The INBAR Livelihoods Development Working Group has been established specifically to provide a forum for this growing area of activity with bamboo and rattan. The group is presently being developed with the primary aim of increasing the positive sustainable impact of INBAR's activities on the livelihoods of rural communities but will also encompass projects and activities of other donors that involve bamboo or rattan.

The first meeting of the group was held on 7-9 October 2003 in Beijing. The second meeting is being scheduled during the World Bamboo Congress, Delhi, 28 February - 4 March 2004.

Purposes:

1. Exchange learning and cross-application of experiences, methodologies, tools and technologies across the Livelihood Development action research projects in the three developing regions.

2. Improve documentation on field validation of bamboo and rattan technologies in different socio-economic, ecological and cultural situations.

3. Development of project ideas, approaches and strategies, and information on mandates and resources of various funding agencies of donors, private sector, NGOs and governments. Development of linkages to development projects of multilateral and bilateral donors, and governments.

4. Develop frameworks to increase the comparative advantage and bargaining power of participating communities, and enable cross-location market linkages.

5. Identify opportunities for providing South-South cross-location technical advice with expertise drawn from professionals and communities participating in the LD field projects.

Participation:

1. Local project managers drawn from implementing agencies (NARS partners).

2. INBAR LD field project managers in regional offices or project offices, and LD program manager from HQ.

3. Financing and collaborating agencies and partner organizations.

4. Other interested organizations.

5. International advisers.