Thematic Area 1: Livelihood and Socio-economic Development

The Transboundary Diagnostic Assessment (TDA) identified Poverty and Population Growth as two key drivers of socio-economic and environmental changes in the Cubango-Okavango River basin (CORB). Meanwhile, the basin states share a common objective of improving the living conditions and livelihoods of communities within the CORB. At the core of livelihoods and socioeconomic development within the CORB, is the desire by OKACOM and its stakeholders to sustain key livelihood activities. In addition, activities within this thematic area are expected to ensure productivity improvements while reducing or mitigating the negative environmental impacts of such activities. The TDA economic analysis identified tourism and Community Based Natural Resources Management (CBNRM) as potential growth areas that can produce significant economic returns and livelihoods improvement with minimal impact on the environment and ecological integrity of the basin. Equally important is the provision of improved water and sanitation supply to the basin population.

To ensure sustainable socio-economic development and improvement of livelihoods in the CORB, OKACOM partners with a number of stakeholders which include International Cooperation Partners (ICP), communities within the basin, state actors, civil society, and academic institutions in the region and beyond, to demonstrate environmentally sound socio-economic development. It is expected that specific actions will target improvement of basin-wide tourism; establishment of transboundary CBNRM and improved livelihoods from CBNRM; establishment of conservation agriculture in the basin; improved livestock management and productivity in the basin; sustainability of the fisheries sector and expansion of the aquaculture; improvement of water and sanitation supply to basin communities; and identification and utilisation of sustainable economic and investment opportunities. All these will be conceptualised within the context of the global climate change mitigation framework.