Income-Generating Activities - Action Against Hunger

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3. Can IGA be carried out in any type of context
No, some conditions exist under which it is not recommended to initiate this
type of programme. In contexts where movement is very restricted, or where there
is insecurity due to a conflict, IGA should not be initiated. Also it is important to
consider that these types of programmes are not going to help the population to
cover their immediate food needs; in a situation of food crisis they are not the most
suitable interventions unless they are carried out in parallel with a food aid programme.
4. What type of support should we offer
The type of support will be designed according to each specific context. The limitations
that a specific population faces will suggest the focus the programme should
follow. Support can be directed towards: improvement of productive assets, strengthening
knowledge, increasing access to money, supporting commercial networks, etc.
The options that are most useful for the problems faced will have to be considered and
several of these possibilities can be carried out in conjunction, always after having
studied their relevance and potential impact.
5. What financial support is needed
Experience has shown that the more that is invested, or the more initial capital
that an IGA has to work with, the greater the chance of success. However, the quantity
to be invested by the programme will differ according to the vulnerability and the
management capacity of the people. For more vulnerable populations, it is preferable
to initiate IGA that require lower amounts of capital. Also, the profitability of the IGA
must be taken into account; the quantity invested must be sufficient to assure the
continuity of the activity with the income generated, while at the same time producing
some profit for the group members or their families.
Another distinct aspect to consider is the origin of the investment, and in what
form the funds are allocated. While considering the options, it is recommended to
keep in mind the possibility that the beneficiaries put in some money, either savings
or productive assets, so that their involvement will be greater and therefore the possibilities
of success will be stronger. Also, it is necessary to think about the evolution
of the financial support to the IGA. A system can be designed that strengthens the independence
of the activity, through permanent access to finance in the form of revolving
funds or micro finance institutions.
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INCOME GENERATING ACTIVITIES: A KEY CONCEPT IN SUSTAINABLE FOOD SECURTIY