CSOs, Livelihoods, and Margins

Abstract

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) play an important and sometimes catalytic role in ensuring livelihoods for the vulnerable and marginalized people and communities, who have been left neglected by the government and private institutions. Inspired by mission but constrained by ability and funds, CSOs work on multiple pilots and interventions, some of which are taken up by the state in larger and at times gigantic scale, even leading to policy change. This chapter looks at how the livelihoods programmes of CSOs evolved, working on diverse perspective of influencing policies and execution that resulted in incremental income of the communities. The author also notes how CSOs have become a big source of employment and critically looks at what it means for staff livelihoods restricted by short-term view and funding restrictions.