Springfield papers

Developing outputs for the public domain is a priority for us. While much of the Springfield Centre's work is for individual clients (and private), we consider participating in wider debate and learning to be an important responsibility in order to contribute to the advancement of the private sector development field. Key parts of our work find their way into public fora and some of these - by Springfield staff or associates - are listed below. Click on read more to access the full documents. Making Markets Work for Poor - Comparing M4P and SLA frameworks: Complementarities, divergences and synergies SDC, Switzerland, June 2008 One of three papers (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) exploring synergies, complementarities and divergences between the M4P and Sustainable Livelihoods approaches. These main paper outlines the conceptual framework used to assess the two projects as well as summarising the discussion. read more Making Markets Work for Poor - Comparing M4P and SLA frameworks: Case studies SDC, Switzerland, June 2008 One of three papers (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) exploring synergies, complementarities and divergences between the M4P and Sustainable Livelihoods approaches. These case studies compare two projects in Bangladesh: KATALYST for M4P and LEAF/SAAKTI for SLA, with a third case study reporting on a joint initiative between KATALYST and LEAF/SAAKTI. read more Making Markets Work for Poor - International development cooperation: seeking common principles that underpin a coherent approach to poverty reduction SDC, Switzerland, June 2008 One of three papers (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) exploring synergies, complementarities and divergences between the M4P and Sustainable Livelihoods approaches. These briefing notes describe the analytical framework under which the M4P and SL approaches were compared to each other. read more The role and impact of radio in reforming the rural business environment in Africa - A study of private FM radio in Uganda SDC, Switzerland, October 2007 A paper written for the Africa regional consultative conference "Creating better business environments for enterprise development. African and Global lessons for more effective donor practices", 5-7 November 2007, Accra, Ghana. This abridged conference paper (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) presents new research findings on the impact of commercial radio in Uganda on the livelihoods of the rural poor through its role as an active driver of change in business environment reform processes. read more Comparing M4P and SLA frameworks: complementarities, divergences and synergies SDC, Switzerland, June 2007 A discussion paper (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) which is one of a series exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - Case Studies Series: "Expanding the poor's access to business information and voice through FM radio in Uganda" SDC, Switzerland, April 2007 A case study exploring a series of inter-related projects that have worked with the recently established private FM radio in Uganda to establish small business-focused radio programmes. These programmes act as channels of information and platforms for public debate and discussion which enhance the voice of rural entrepreneurs. This case is one of a series exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - Case Studies Series: "Common framework for learning and managing change: Experiences from SDC regional programmes in the Balkans and South Causasus" SDC, Switzerland, November 2006 This case study is based on two SDC initiatives using Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) as a uniting framework against which to position, learn and improve the performance of the employment and income related portfolios of SDC regional programmes. read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - Case Studies Series: "Developing financial services markets for the poor: FinMark in South Africa" SDC, Switzerland, November 2006 A case study examining the experience of FinMark (an independent trust funded by DFID) in facilitating the development of more inclusive markets for transaction banking services in South Africa. This case is one of a series exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - Case Studies Series: "Improving the environment for small businesses in Indonesia and Russia: Experiences from Swisscontact" SDC, Switzerland, November 2006 A case study examining Swisscontact's experience in stimulating a more conducive environment for small businesses in Indonesia and Russia. This case is one of a series exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. read more Enhancing the Supply-side of the Maize Market KATALYST, Bangladesh, June 2006 Our second case study on the work of KATALYST in Bangladesh which focuses on their work in the maize sector, especially on developing knowledge and information services. read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - "Comparative Approaches to Private Sector Development" SDC, Switzerland, April 2006 A technical paper (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. [SPANISH VERSION] read more Making Markets Work for the Poor - "Comparative Approaches to Private Sector Development" SDC, Switzerland, April 2006 A technical paper (prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium) exploring the application of the Making Markets Work for the Poor approach to different areas of private sector development. read more Rural development news article: "Understanding embedded business services" SDC, Switzerland, 2006 This article was published, on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium, as a background paper for the online Community of Practice "Value Chains in Rural Development". The paper looks in detail at two practical experiences of understanding EBS within two very different value chains in Ghana and Bangladesh. read more Bringing Knowledge to Vegetable Farmers - Improving embedded information in the distribution system KATALYST, Bangladesh, December 2005 Our first case study on the work of KATALYST in Bangladesh which focuses on their work in the vegetable sector, especially on stimulating training of agricultural input retailers and the flow of knowledge and information within the distribution system. read more "Employment, Income and the MDGs - Critical Linkages and Guiding Actions" Briefing Paper SDC, Switzerland, December 2005 A briefing paper prepared on behalf of the FAUNO Consortium (Skat, Springfield Centre, Swisscontact, Facet, Inbas), which is a mandate of the Employment and Income Division of SDC. Exploring the direct links between employment and income to reduce poverty in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals (MDFs). read more "Making markets work for the poor" - an objective and an approach for governments and development agencies The ComMark Trust, South Africa, July 2004 Aimed at a general public audience, this paper outlines the essence of the market development approach. Key sections focus on the links between markets and poverty reduction, how markets for (and against) the poor; common reasons for intervention failures, and a simplified guide through key steps in the approach. Additional reading and potential tools are also highlighted. read more Making business service markets work for the poor in rural areas: a review of experience DFID, UK, June 2004 Setting out the critical and growing role of business services in economic systems, and as a key determinant of economic performance, the paper identifies similarities between thinking in different development fields (eg BDS, livelihoods, agriculture) and how market development provides a uniting framework for these. Fourteen mini-cases highlighting innovative approaches to business service market development are summarised. Drawing on these, implications for the future are then identified. read more Making markets work for the poor as a core objective for governments and development agencies The ComMark Trust, South Africa, February 2004 This is a foundation document. It explores the nature of and interaction between poverty, markets and economic systems in more depth. In doing so it also identified the complexities (moral, conceptual and technical) surrounding markets and key stages involved in moving from market development analysis to actions. read more From principles to practice: ten critical challenges for BDS market development Small Enterprise Development Journal, Vol. 14 No. 4, December 2003 This position paper reviews the state of the BDS field six years after the publication of the original Donor Committee guidelines. It urges, among other steps, that BDS be placed firmly within the market development paradigm; that BDS be placed at the centre of wider private sector development thinking (and out of the confines of a BDS "box"); and that the term "BDS" be retired in favour of the more usual (and meaningful) term, "business services". read more The role of government in BDS market development SEED, April 2002 First establishing a framework within which to consider government's role in business services, and identifying key trends, this paper explores lessons to be learned from innovative government approaches relating to markets. Separate sections examine policy; regulation and other statutory instruments, competition and standards; co-ordination; information; science and technology; procurement, outsourcing and linkages; and explicit business service market facilitation. read more Microfinance during and after armed conflict: lessons from Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique and Rwanda DFID/Concern, March 2002 A synthesis report based on qualitative research work in Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique and Rwanda between June and August 2001. The post conflict microfinance (PCM) research project aimed to improve the awareness, skills and knowledge available to implement successful post conflict microfinance projects for the poor. read more "Tools for microfinance interventions in post-conflict settings" DFID, UK, December 2001 A research project on post-conflict microfinance to improve the awareness, skills and knowledge available to implement successful post conflict microfinance project for the poor. The project draws on research in Angola, Cambodia, Mozambique and Rwanda. read more ApproTEC, Kenya: Developing technology-based business opportunities DFID, October 1998 A case study on Business Development Services for SMEs. read more The Kenya Management Assistance Programme: Innovative delivery of counselling and training DFID, October 1998 A case study on Business Development Services for SMEs. read more AMKA, Tanzania: Export market development services for SMEs DFID, July 1998 A case study on Business Development Services for SMEs read more