Creative ways of supporting livelihoods and businesses in the desert

  • A/Prof Maria Fay Rola-Rubzen, Desert Knowledge CRC and Curtin University of Technology, Australia
  • A/Prof Ram Vemuri, Charles Darwin University, Australia
  • Dr Gido Mapunda, University of South Australia, Australia
  • Prof Gweneth Norris, Charles Darwin University, Australia
  • Delgermaa Altangerel, Curtin University of Technology, Australia

    • There have been numerous initiatives to support livelihoods and businesses in remote and regional areas, including desert areas. The scope and nature of these initiatives are quite diverse. While this diversity can be seen as positive response to the myriad of contexts and macro to micro levels of applications, the success of these programs vary. What are the factors that lead to successful initiatives? This paper discusses the elements of successful initiatives geared towards supporting desert businesses and livelihoods, as well as gaps and inhibitors to success. Key opportunities to improve outcomes will also be explored in this paper.