​This paper explores evidence on the impacts of integrated livelihoods programmes on resilient food systems, focusing specifically on impacts on the availability of food, access to food and the utilisation of food, all in the context of specific shocks and stresses. The paper draws on evidence from four types of integrated programme: 

i) DFID-funded livelihoods programmes in India focusing primarily on promoting rural agricultural production and enhancing skills for female farmers working in the agricultural sector and in Ethiopia the MERET-PLUS programme focussing on soil and water improvements; 

ii) “graduation” model programmes in Bangladesh implemented by BRAC (CFPR) and DFID (CLP), a similar programme in Zimbabwe (PRP) and recent pilots in Haiti, India and Pakistan which transfer a lump-sum asset to women coupled with skills training and health care; 

iii) the Millennium Development Village (MDV) programmes in Africa and Asia which seek to promote agricultural production alongside improvements in health and education; and 

iv) the GTZ-funded Integrated Food Security Programme (IFSP) in Malawi and Save the Children’s Meket Livelihoods Development Project (MLDP) which include agriculture, water, income generation, and health interventions alongside income and/or food transfers.

Rebecca Holmes, Rachel Slater and Dharini Bhuvanendra