A message from Springfield

We hope this finds you safe and well in these unprecedented times. The COVID-19 pandemic is a stark reminder of how interconnected our world can be, but also of how rapidly societies can turn inwards in times of crisis. As countries strive to slow the spread of the virus and cope with the strain on health services, the full extent of the economic disruption is only starting to become clear. Millions of people are likely to drop back into or move more deeply into poverty. In SE Asia alone it is estimated that 11m people will fall below the poverty line. Crops are left to rot, fish catches dumped because supply chains are disrupted and demand is collapsing. Urban workers are losing jobs because factory orders are evaporating, small businesses are not getting paid and their supplier credit is drying up. The economic contraction will reduce many governments' ability to support those worst affected and will directly impact poor peoples' ability to take care of their health and environment. Difficult times lie ahead.
 
But crises also breed opportunities: supply chains fragment and consumer demand becomes more localised, creating opportunities for small farmers and businesses; powerful incumbents are challenged by new technologies and practices; entrenched positions are scrutinised and people become more receptive to reform. At a time when the inclination is to hunker down and wait for it all to go away, it is vital that we take a fresh and realistic look at the systems in which the poor exist. Not to panic, but think pragmatically how we can meet the challenge head on, to enable people to cope with the short term distress but - just as importantly - prepare them for market recovery and new opportunities.

Work for a donor?

Interested in learning more about improving the scale and sustainability of your impact?

Before we locked down in March, Springfield delivered a three day introduction to market systems development (MSD) for DFID staff interested in learning more about the approach and the implications for a funder. The short introductory event included the basic MSD principles, examples of good practice, and bespoke discussion sessions along the donor project management cycle. Over the years, Springfield has provided similar trainings for other bilateral donors and foundations and we are planning to launch another course specifically for funders in late 2020.

If you'd like more information, please get in touch. 

Systems under pressure in Lebanon

Springfield has been supporting the ILO team in Lebanon to identify and analyse job and income opportunities for Syrian refugees and their host Lebanese communities. As the crisis continues and Lebanon’s economy struggles, the need for stable income opportunities for the most vulnerable in both refugee and host communities is paramount both for economic survival as well as social cohesion. With Springfield support, the greenhouse horticulture sector has been identified as a potential driver of decent rural jobs and secure income and a market analysis completed setting out initial intervention options for ILO investment.

 

A pragmatic approach to assessing system change

Few topics inspire as much confusion and debate as systemic change. What is it? How do you measure it? Does it even matter?

Springfield's very own Dr Rachel Shah will be joining Aly Miehlbradt, Hans Posthumus and Adam Kessler to host a BEAM Exchange webinar on a back-to-basics approach to assessing system change.

You can find out more and register here.

Responding to the COVID-19 crisis 

Programmes we work with such as PRISMA and MDF are gathering intelligence from market actors and their representatives, to provide insights about the real-world disruptions caused by COVID-19 and its countermeasures, to guide decision makers and better target temporary business support measures. Interventions are being adapted or developed to support private sector and local government partners, including:

What have we been doing recently?