Abstract
This paper examines the political economy of communal land distribution for unemployed landless youths as a means of livelihood in the Amhara region of Ethiopia, using sustainable livelihood approach as a theoretical framework. A mixed research method was employed, with data obtained through interviews, questionnaires, and focused group discussions. The questionnaire was dispatched to randomly selected 384 prior users of the distributed communal land and 150 organized youths who benefited from the job creation initiative. Data was analysed and interpreted using statistics-by-themes and side-by-side comparisons. The state elites have strategically distributed communal lands in a top-down approach without a legal framework either at the national or regional level to generate jobs and maintain political control at local echelons, leading to relative wealth acquisition for youths by depriving the livelihood of previous users. Hence, the distribution of communal grazing lands to rural youths should respect the land use rights of prior users vis-a-vis emerging generations.
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
2026 Special Focus—Unseen Unsustainability: Addressing Hidden Risks to Long-Term Wellbeing for All
KEYWORDS
Political economy, Land Access, Communal Land Distribution, Rural Youths, Job Creation
