Hi Naziha,

Thanks for your question. GOAL Syria can share with you an example on your first question on market improvement.

As part of our Early Recovery and Markets System Program, GOAL Syria Market teams are providing cash grants and technical assistance to vendors who work with us as part of our food and basic needs voucher activities. This activity was designed after consultation with vendors on challenges faced; and aims at increasing their resilience to markets shocks and stresses while providing them a buffer of economic support, which they can use to strengthen and upgrade their business. This direct support for vendors also benefits families who receive vouchers, as the shops where they redeem their vouchers offer an increased availability, diversity, and quality of items, while it also helps markets and communities living in the area.

So far, GOAL has supported 242 vendors in Northwest Syria and plans to expand support to another 333. The exact grant value was determined in a review of the vendor application and the SME assessment exercise. This assistance was complemented with technical assistance, provided through one-to-one coaching sessions on topics of their choice, including marketing, recordkeeping, business idea development, etc.

Vendors reported having used the cash grants mainly for the following improvements:

* Installation of solar energy systems to make them self-sufficient in energy and reduce running costs (making them more resilient to fluctuating fuel and electricity prices);
* Purchase of refrigerators and freezers to store fresh foods.

Let me and my colleague Emma (in cc) know if you have more questions on this and we will be happy to answer.

Best,
Adela
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Adela Serrano Barrios| GOAL Syria | Cash and Markets Advisor
E: [Hidden email] <mailto:[Hidden email]> | S: adela.serrano.barrios | Ph: +962 (0) 797 49 80 37

Dear Naziha,

You might check out SEADS <https: seads-standards.org=""> Evidence Database for documents that include evidence on how agriculture interventions impact market systems.

SEADS is using this evidence to develop minimum standards for market awareness in emergency agriculture projects.

Here is a link to the database: https://seads-standards.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/SEADS_Evidence_Database_Website2021-7-19.xlsx

Racey

Racey Henderson
SEADS Coordinator
seads-standards.org <http: www.seads-standards.org="">
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The SEADS Project is developing standards for supporting agricultural livelihoods in emergencies. Learn how you can help here <https: en="" get-involved="" seads-standards.org="">. Follow us on Twitter @SEADS_Standards <https: seads_standards="" twitter.com=""> and on LinkedIn <https: company="" seads-standards="" www.linkedin.com="">.
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I divide my time between farming and humanitarian work. My office hours are currently Wednesday through Friday each week. If you need to contact me outside of those hours, please call me.

Hi Naziha,

Great questions!

I'm hoping others can jump in but to get you started :

1.Re : market improvement here is a UNCTAD report on female cross border traders ( which shows how mobile money technology has enabled financial inclusion/ trade in both countries for example) : Borderline: Women in Informal Cross-border Trade in Malawi, the United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia (unctad.org) <https: ditc2018d3_en.pdf="" files="" official-document="" system="" unctad.org="">

2. Re: Impact of market development on existing traders - this is a really interesting question. I wonder if some of our market systems colleagues have some interesting impact evaluations they can share.....

From the humanitarian side , anyone who has conducted an impact evaluation of an OFDA/BHA ' Economic Recovery and Market Systems' program using the 'Sub Sector 4:2 New Livelihoods Development' could help- as they have a particular monitoring requirement to show that new activities do not cause 'unintended negative consequences'. Am sure we have some in the D group.

My 2 cents but I hope you get some replies to this and please do share if this is linked to any wider research!

Best,

Corrie

Corrie Sissons
Technical Advisor - Cash and Markets | Humanitarian Response Department | Catholic Relief Services (CRS)
Email: [Hidden email] <mailto:[Hidden email]> | Skype: corriesissons
Mobile (UK): + 44 7729629852

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Dear MiC groups
We are looking at some concrete examples of market improvement, i.e., intervention to accelerate or improve transactions for goods and services, improvement of market places where the goods are sold, or ownerships are changed, etc. A case study on the use of technology to improve the market's functioning will also be helpful.

Secondly, we have a question: market interventions to bring in new people or set up new businesses may have unknown effects on the well-established existing businesses. Has any one experienced these effects ? any study? Is there any established ethics list to follow for market interventions?

Thanks a lot
Naziha

Naziha EL MOUSSAOUI
Food security, nutrition and livelihoods adviser
Mobile/ whatsapp : +44.771.137.69.79 or +33.617.033.541
Skype: nazihaelmoussaoui

Please note that I don't work on Wednesdays afternoon (from 1:30pm UK time )


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