GiftsAt a glance
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Photo: Miguel Samper for Mercy Corps
It is estimated that almost half of the world’s population, 3 billion people, live on less than $2.50 per day. As the global economic crisis continues to shrink domestic demand and investment in the developing world, emerging market growth is predicted to decline sharply from 6.1 percent in 2008 to 1.5 percent in 2009. An example of this decline can be seen in Africa, where the IMF projects a decline in growth by 17 percent. While the downturn threatens the fragile livelihoods of low-income earning populations, the market development sector offers an effective leverage point to turn these challenges into opportunities. Working in transitional environments, Mercy Corps takes a progressive approach, supporting communities and entrepreneurs from relief to sustainable livelihoods to long-term economic growth. Every context is different, and programming builds on the unique economic potential of each country. Engaging with entrepreneurs and producers at the community level as well as with lead firms and policy makers, we help ensure poor families and vulnerable communities benefit from the increased revenues that result from market improvements and sector growth.
Access to and availability of adequate market resources and economic opportunities are key success factors for both relief and development programming. Mercy Corps currently operates upwards of 30 market development projects in over 27 countries worth approximately $100 million dollars. These projects support at-risk communities to sustainably develop strong market systems that increase incomes and productivity while reducing the effects and risks of disaster or conflict.
To learn how we help people leverage the benefits of market development, take a look at the following information:
Kenya November 3, 2011 2:14PM
Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis (EMMA) in Wajir County, Kenya
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Wajir County, Kenya
Mercy Corps conducted an adapted Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis (EMMA) assessment in Wajir County of Kenya from 2-6 August 2011. The assessment was organized as a response to the hunger crisis resulting from the worst drought in the region in the last 60 years. The EMMA methodology was adapted for this chronic emergency that has seen a steady escalation over the preceding two years and focused on markets that could meet immediate food needs quickly.
Georgia November 3, 2011 2:05PM
Creating a Sustainable Market
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Photograph by Thatcher Cook for Mercy Corps
Changing the livestock system in Georgia to benefit small-scale farmers.
This collaborative case study from Mercy Corps, Alliances, and The Springfield Centre illustrates how an M4P project is going about changing the livestock system in one region of Georgia to the benefit of small-scale farmers. It focuses on one area of intervention, cattle breeding, and tells the story of how the project staff found the right players to work with, how they persuaded them to adapt their roles, how they helped them do so and how they are continuing to work to ensure the modest success achieved so far is likely to endure long after the project finishes.
Kyrgyzstan November 3, 2011 11:32AM
A Market-Integrated Response to an Emergency in Kyrgyzstan
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Mercy Corps has been working in Kyrgyzstan since 1994.
In an article published on the Humanitarian Practice Network, Mercy Corps' Robin Currey, Meghan Neumann, and Patrick Eckford detail market-integrated emergency response in the post-conflict provinces of Osh and Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan.
April 12, 2011 1:29PM
ICT Business Development
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The research examines the intersection of Palestinian Information and Communication Technology (ICT) sector capabilities with demands for software outsourcing support by technology companies in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. A specific focus is on outsourcing opportunities to Israel; more broadly the aim is to identify means for expanding the Palestinian ICT services export market to Europe and the United States.
The report includes recommendations on implementing this expansion, while bearing in mind the state of the world ICT marketplace, as well as the very real obstacles and challenges of the regional political situation which constrain or limit both the Palestinian and Israeli ability to establish business partnerships. The research demonstrates that opportunity exists for Palestine to expand its ICT outsourcing services significantly through increased deal-flow from Israel and other countries around the world.
West Bank and Gaza April 12, 2011 1:28PM
ICT Business Development
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This report aims to highlight opportunities for increased international business for Palestinian ICT companies based on the results of research carried out by Intellect, with support from Mercy Corps, PITA and IAESI, in addition to participation of nearly 200 Palestinian and Israeli companies.
September 15, 2009 2:22PM
Market Development Sector Approach
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This document is a comprehensive explanation of Mercy Corps' technical approach to this sector. It describes how, where and why the sector does its works. It gives the reader an in-depth view of why the sector is important to international relief and development while also providing a practical framework and theoretical approach to program development, implementation and monitoring and evaluation. This document is appropriate for a reader who wants a highly technical explanation of the sector with a page count of 5 or more.
September 15, 2009 2:10PM
Market Development Sector Overview
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This document is a shorter and more simplified version of the Sector Approach. It gives an overview to the sector and why it is important to international relief and development work. It also explains how Mercy Corps structures and implements its sector programs. This document is appropriate for a reader who wants a medium level of technicality and a page count of 4 or below.
September 15, 2009 2:09PM
Market Development Sector Update Fiscal Year 2009
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This document offers a snapshot of the sector’s programming strategy, progress and future outlook current for the Fiscal Year 2009 (July 2008 to June 2009). It explains the strategic standing of the agency within the industry and global sector contexts, while using program highlights, successes, impact data and future program potential as evidence. This document is appropriate for a reader who is familiar with Mercy Corps’s sector approach and wants an up-to-date picture of the agency's accomplishments and current operations in this sector.
Afghanistan March 31, 2009 3:20PM
Veterinary Field Units Privatization Scheme
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This report captures the main activities and lessons learned by Mercy Corps implementing a veterinary program in southern Afghanistan from 2004 – 2008. It is information relevant for program planning in Afghanistan and beyond.
