An integrated livelihood resilience framework for informal waste workers in Nepal’s circular economy

The role of informal waste workers (IWWs) has been vital in the development of circular economy (CE) systems across urban areas of the Global South. Despite the vital role of IWWs in the recycling process, these workers are vulnerable to socio-economic risks, political exclusion, and psychological aspects. This study will develop and validate the Integrated Livelihood Resilience Framework (ILRF), including political capital and psychological capital as essential factors of livelihood resilience among IWWs. The study will apply the mixed-methods approach, which includes a survey of the IWWs of the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal and qualitative interviews. To analyze the data, the study will use exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis, and structural equation modelling. The study contributes a theoretically grounded, empirically testable framework to better understand livelihood resilience and to inform inclusive policies for a just transition toward CE systems.