Education remains one of our central thematic areas under Livelihood, forming the foundation upon which individuals and communities can build better futures. CALID recognizes that access to quality education does not only improve knowledge and skills but also expands opportunities for economic advancement and social mobility. By strengthening educational systems and promoting lifelong learning, we help equip community members with the tools required to thrive in an ever-changing world.

Within the broader Livelihood framework, CALID places strong emphasis on empowering individuals to break persistent cycles of poverty. We understand that the most sustainable way to improve living conditions is to enhance people’s capacity to generate income, navigate economic challenges, and contribute meaningfully to their households and communities. Our interventions therefore target both immediate needs and long-term development.

A key component of our approach is skills development and vocational training. These programmes are designed to address the skills gap that often limits the employment prospects of youth and women. By providing training in practical trades, digital literacy, financial management, and other essential areas, CALID helps beneficiaries secure decent work and build stable livelihoods.

Access to financial resources is another cornerstone of our livelihood interventions. Many capable individuals are unable to start or expand income-generating activities simply because they lack capital. CALID responds to this challenge by linking beneficiaries to microcredit schemes, savings groups, and other financial support systems that enable them to pursue entrepreneurship with confidence.

Agriculture remains a major source of income for many households in the communities where we work. For this reason, CALID promotes sustainable agriculture practices that boost productivity while protecting the environment. Our support includes training on climate-smart farming, improved planting techniques, post-harvest handling, and the use of environmentally friendly inputs.

Beyond farming techniques, we also encourage agricultural diversification to reduce risk and increase income stability. By supporting farmers to explore alternative crops, livestock production, and value-addition opportunities, CALID helps families build resilience against climate change, market shocks, and declining soil fertility.

Entrepreneurship development forms another important pillar of our livelihood programming. CALID believes that small businesses are essential drivers of local economic growth. Through mentoring, business advisory services, and market linkage support, we help emerging entrepreneurs build viable enterprises that can create jobs and stimulate economic activity in their communities.

Our livelihood initiatives also prioritize gender equality and inclusion. Many women, persons with disabilities, and marginalized groups often face barriers that limit their participation in economic activities. CALID works intentionally to remove these barriers by ensuring equitable access to training, financial services, and livelihood assets. This inclusive approach promotes fairness and strengthens community development.

Importantly, sustainable livelihoods contribute significantly to broader goals such as poverty reduction, community resilience, and environmental sustainability. When individuals have stable incomes and the skills to sustain them, households become more secure, children stay in school, and communities are better able to withstand economic or climatic crises.

Ultimately, CALID’s work in the Livelihood thematic area is centered on building strong, self-reliant communities where everyone—regardless of background—has the opportunity to thrive. By investing in skills, education, entrepreneurship, and sustainable resource use, we help create pathways out of poverty and lay the foundation for long-term, inclusive development.