Can M4P work everywhere?

Alexandra Miehlbradt

doi:10.3362/1755-1986.20-00023

Can M4P work everywhere?

Over the last 15 years, practitioners have increasingly applied making markets work for the poor (M4P) to sparser, newer, and more fragile markets. What have we learned from the experience of M4P in thin markets? Because there are many gaps in thin markets, it’s critical to think in interconnected strategies, rather than only lead interventions. Tailoring M4P programmes to the causes of market thinness increases the chances of success. Working in thin markets requires using the principles of M4P creatively rather than sticking to a rigid ‘rule book’. The field has more work to do to increase the effectiveness of M4P in thin markets, including developing additional frameworks, tracking market system change more effectively, and sharing experience more freely. Working in thin markets is set to become increasingly important in the coming years.

Apuoyo, C. (2019) ‘Achieving systemic change in shallow markets: case of northern Uganda’, webinar on Promoting Systemic Change in Shallow Markets – Lessons from Experience [online], BEAM Exchange <https://beamexchange.org/community/webinar/systemic-change-in-shallow-markets/> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Beltekian, D. and Ortiz-Ospina, E. (2018) ‘Extreme poverty is falling: How is poverty changing for higher poverty lines?’ Our World in Data [website] <https://ourworldindata.org/poverty-at-higher-poverty-lines> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Cowater Sogema, Lao Cai & So’n La and Australian Government (no date) ‘Aus4Equality Gender Responsive Equitable Agriculture and Tourism (GREAT) Program’ [website] <http://equality.aus4vietnam.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Garloch, A. (2015) A Framework for a Push/Pull Approach to Inclusive Market Systems Development [pdf], Leveraging Economic Opportunities Brief, USAID <https://www.marketlinks.org/sites/marketlinks.org/files/resource/files/LEO_Framework_for_a_Push_Pull_Approach_to_Inclusive_Market_Systems_Devel....pdf> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Hitchins, R., Elliott, D. and Gibson, A. (2005) ‘Making business service markets works for the rural poor: a review of experience’, Small Enterprise Development Journal 16(2): 10–23 <https://doi.org/10.3362/0957-1329.2005.016>.

Kenya Markets Trust (no date) Kenya Markets Trust [website] <www.kenyamarkets.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Learning Lab (no date) USAID Learning Lab [website] <https://usaidlearninglab.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Market Development Facility (no date) Market Development Facility [website] <www.marketdevelopmentfacility.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Menocal, A., Cassidy, M., Swift, S., Jacobstein, D., Rothblum, C. and Tservil, I. (2018) Thinking and Working Politically through Applied Political Economy Analysis (PEA): A Guide for Practitioners [online], Washington, DC: Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance, USAID <https://usaidlearninglab.org/library/thinking-and-working-politically-twp-through-applied-political-economy-analysis-pea-core> [accessed 16 December 2019].

Miehlbradt, A., Warner, B. and Swete Kelly, D. (2018) Promoting Systemic Change in Shallow Markets [pdf], Canberra, Australia: Market Development Facility <https://marketdevelopmentfacility.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Promoting-Systemic-Change-In-Shallow-Markets.pdf> [accessed 16 December 2019].

Nippard, D., Hitchins, R. and Elliott, D. (2014) Adopt-Adapt-Expand-Respond: A Framework for Managing and Measuring Systemic Change Processes [pdf], Durham, UK: The Springfield Centre <http://www.springfieldcentre.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2014-03-Adopt-Adapt-Expand-Respond-Briefing-Paper1.pdf> [accessed 17 December 2019].

Rashid, S., Mahmuduzzaman, S., Chowdhury, J. and Bhowmik, A. (2019) ‘M4C’s experience of applying market systems’, BEAM Grab the Mic webinar, 5 February 2019 [online] <https://beamexchange.org/community/webinar/m4c-applying-market-systems/> [accessed 12 December 2019].

The SEEP Network (2017) Minimum Economic Recovery Standards, 3rd edn [online], The SEEP Network <https://mershandbook.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Kenya Markets Trust (no date) Kenya Markets Trust [website] <www.kenyamarkets.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Saidi, R. (2019) The Last Frontier for Energy Access: The Renewable Energy Opportunity in the Democratic Republic of Congo [pdf], Kinshasa, DRC: Élan RDC <https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5bc4882465019f632b2f8653/t/5caf6631e79c7023d6525a3d/1554998850604/22+-+DRC+Energy+Opportunity.pdf> [accessed 16 December 2019].

Learning Lab (no date) USAID Learning Lab [website] <https://usaidlearninglab.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

The Springfield Centre (2015) The Operational Guide for the Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) Approach, 2nd edn [pdf], funded by SDC & DFID, Durham, UK: The Springfield Centre <https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/m4pguide2015.pdf> [accessed 17 December 2019].

Market Development Facility (no date) Market Development Facility [website] <www.marketdevelopmentfacility.org> [accessed 12 December 2019].

Whitehouse, K. (2019) Adopting a Market-based Approach to Boost Energy Access in Displaced Contexts [pdf], Moving Energy Initiative, London: The Royal Institute of International Affairs <https://www.chathamhouse.org/sites/default/files/publications/research/2019-03-25-MEIWhitehouse.pdf> [accessed 16 December 2019].