Guest editorial: strategies for integrating the most vulnerable populations into market systems, from the SEEP conference

Abstract

March 2015 TO OVERCOME THE CHALLENGES of global poverty, transformative solutions with potential for large-scale impact are necessary. Inclusive pro-poor market systems approaches seek to catalyse lasting changes in how markets function. Market systems encompass a range of actors including the public and private sectors and civil society, as well as support services, infrastructure, funding, policies and regulations, and socio-cultural norms. Market systems approaches require deep understanding of the constraints that prevent the poor from engaging in and benefiting from their participation in markets. When employed effectively, these strategies can lead to more active and productive participation of the poor as market actors and ensure broad-based economic development benefits, such as increased private sector investment, innovation, and job creation. Market systems approaches are increasingly recognized as holding the promise of sustainable development and an exit strategy for development assistance. Nevertheless, there are still significant challenges to be addressed. For many development organizations, this perspective represents an evolution in their role from direct service provider to one of market facilitator. This evolution often requires new capacities and orientation. At the same time, many practitioners continue to work within specific sectors. As organizations become more specialized, ‘silos’ are created that fragment actions and reduce the potential for scale and impact, particularly with respect to very poor and marginalized populations. By taking a systems perspective, the SEEP Network has the potential to support approaches that extend beyond single sector interventions. Our historical focus on both enterprise development and microfinance has provided the foundation for a more holistic approach to inclusive market development that can engage a wide range of industry stakeholders, services, and technologies. At the same time, the diversity of our membership presents significant opportunities for multi-sector action, knowledge creation, and sharing, within and across sectors and contexts. Many of SEEP’s members work in multiple areas such as agriculture, health, and nutrition, and utilize a range of strategies. As a consequence, SEEP, in collaboration with our members, is able to contribute to a broad spectrum of learning agendas focused on improving practice, as this edition of EDM demonstrates. The papers in this issue are drawn from the 2014 SEEP Annual Conference held in Arlington, Virginia in September 2014. Guest editorial: strategies for integrating the most vulnerable populations into market systems, from the sEEp conference SHAroN D’oNoFrIo