The work and life choices of the poor and marginalised are continuously shaped by the intersectionalities of the internal and external factors as experienced at the household (HH) level. These internal factors1 interplay with the external factors2 and State policies and programmes3, functioning within the micro-macro continuum and thus shaping the livelihood choices (of any HH). Any ​‘intervention’ for protecting, intensifying or diversifying livelihoods of poor and marginalised has to be comprehended and designed within the larger and complex intersectionalities (mentioned above) and an in-depth understanding of the micro-realities, capacities4 and aspiration of the community. Above all, the interventions must be nested within the critical considerations of sustainability, inclusion, dignity, equity, and justice in work and life. Livelihood practitioners ought to have competencies to envisage and design interventions incorporating the above while carefully adopting strategies to engage with the communities while factoring in the changes in the economy, technical advancements, market opportunities, structural challenges and cultural aspects.

Over the years, State and civil society actors, along with the local institutions and
communities have increasingly played an active role in shaping the livelihoods and
livelihood choices (of the marginalised) by community-led livelihood interventions, which
includes developing new skills and enhancing older skills, expanding access to capitals, markets and technologies, and enabling support mechanisms through accessing state programmes.

Students, after completion of their MA-Dev programme, join civil society organisations or
State agencies active in the ​‘livelihood’ domain. This course will help them to be prepared
for such future engagements. Further, the participants of this course will also relate with
other livelihood related courses on agriculture, coastal livelihoods, forest-based livelihoods
and informality.