What difference does SL make?
SL is a substitute for other work practices and methods. Rather it is way of capturing and bringing together best practice from many different areas of development in order to address the long-standing challenge of poverty elimination. SL will achieve results only if it is operationalised in a thoughtful way by people who are skilled in understanding both local priorities and the higher-level factors (policies, governance structures, etc.) that affect livelihoods. It does hold out the prospect of better team working, the development of a broader and more intuitive understanding of local priorities and thus more effective poverty elimination. This is of particular importance given the increased marginalisation and vulnerability of the poor in the modern economic environment.
