NRI’s Livelihoods and Institutions Department focuses on the premise that the key to addressing poverty is an understanding of the circumstances in which poor people create their livelihoods, and of the institutions and policies that constrain or empower them. The department is a multidisciplinary team of twelve social development professionals, comprising social anthropologists, socio-economists and specialists in aquatic resources, farming systems, environmental issues and land use. Working in partnership with institutions in developing countries, our skills in social and institutional analysis enable us to make a significant contribution to the strategy, design and implementation of research and innovation programmes (both sectoral and cross-sectoral) for international development.

Our objectives are to ensure: that programmes are responsive to the needs of poor people; that development activities are sensitive to difference and disadvantage relating to gender, age and ethnicity; that key stakeholders participate in the design and implementation of research; and that the results of research are delivered on an efficient and sustainable basis.

Our work includes the following major themes:

• Innovation, institutional development and capacity strengthening
• Assessing impact on poverty and livelihoods
• Risk, vulnerability and adaptation to climate change
• Land policy and rural territorial development
• Institutions and urban water management
• Information and communication technology and development