Resilient Livelihoods

Date: 07/23/2025

Resilient Livelihoods

Across diverse sectors and countries, GFI programs work to improve livelihoods and foster self-reliance. A key part of this is expanding informal workers’ ownership in the supply chain, enabling them to take a more active role in production and distribution. When workers control more of the production and distribution process, they capture a larger share of the value they create, reducing reliance on exploitative intermediaries and breaking the cycle of debt. With greater control, workers can negotiate fairer prices, access better financial resources, and create a foundation for economic stability.  

Economic stability is crucial in the face of increasing climate shocks, which exacerbate financial insecurity. Extreme heat waves and drought reduce work efficiency, lower profits, and spoil goods, while typhoons and floods destroy productive land and increase the spread of diseases. Access to finance and savings is key to recovery, especially for women, who are disproportionately impacted by climate change. The rise of the gig economy has also increased workers’ insecurity, with wages determined by algorithms, uncertain work hours, and isolation and limited collective bargaining power. By promoting greater agency and ownership, GFI equips informal workers with the skills needed to navigate economic instability and recover from financial setbacks. Every project is grounded in a human rights-based approach to build sustainable, resilient livelihoods that endure in the face of economic challenges.