Frequent and rapid assessments and analysis. Larger market assessments are very time-consuming, and the findings can often be outdated due to the frequent changes associated with emerging conflict dynamics. It's therefore important to conduct rapid assessments that can be rolled out quickly to inform the design of interventions. The private sector, social businesses, and local entrepreneurs can be important catalysts for sustainable change. The access and logistical efficiencies of the local private sector can be leveraged to support timely aid delivery and new inclusive business models. Interventions should also leverage the impact that a crisis has on the willingness of local entrepreneurs, leaders and volunteers, to create positive social changes in their communities. These people are passionate about change and often only require limited support to make this a reality. The crowdsourcing of local charitable donations has proven to be a stable source of finance for such initiatives. Providing tailored technical assistance, especially on business planning and financial management, has been very important in this process. Exploring innovative ways to structure financial support can enhance sustainability: In fragile contexts there may be a greater need for subsidies and grants. These can help mitigate risks for the private sector to invest in new business models and can help jumpstart economic activity. Different schemes have been tested. FOSTER's experience is that structuring financial support as ‹investments› or ‹social impact loans› (to then be reinvested in the future) rather than grants can foster a more equitable partnership with the private sector, enabling the project to work together as peers towards common objectives. In the project's experience this has been more effective than taking equity, as the repayment requirements push the business to ensure the model's financial viability. HEKS/EPER's registration as a company in Myanmar has helped in this process and has also offered strategic advantages regarding operational access. Agile and adaptive programming approach, that incorporates the triple nexus: The fragility and fluidity of the context in Myanmar requires a flexible and adaptive approach to programming to seize new opportunities and overcome obstacles. An example of such an adaptation was expanding a contract farming initiative beyond chillies to include vegetables. Vegetables provide farmers with a quicker source of income, while also contributing to improved food security and nutrition. Moreover, a partnership with the knowledge-transfer arm of a large input supplier has been established to transfer vegetable farming knowledge to farmers. To ensure an adaptive approach, project teams use monitoring tools and processes that promote flexibility such as result chains and quarterly reflections. The piloting of interventions, and the use of prototyping for quick feedback loops, drawing from the human-centered design (HCD) approach, has helped foster innovation and efficient resource allocation. Providing more flexible administrative requirements for partners has also been important. Importance of a conflict-sensitive approach based on trust building: At a time when there is fear and distrust within Myanmar society, it has been important to work with local actors whose knowledge and relationships provide access and acceptance. In many cases, this has involved working with local Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) who have access to and relations with communities. Companies with a good local reputation and customer base have also proven to be good partners in this respect. Facilitating agricultural and food sector development is seen as relatively apolitical in the context, and can be a connector, bridging divides between communities. Conducting conflict analysis, conflict-sensitivity training to staff, and due diligence screening with new partners, to screen for potential risks, have all been important factors. A common understanding with the donor on the approach and the need for flexibility. A key enabling factor for the project has been the flexibility from the donor. Ensuring a common understanding and valuing of the project's flexible working approach with the donor from the outset of the project has been very important. Ensure interventions anticipate risks and are focused on strengthening community resilience to frequent shocks. For instance, the project helped farmers turn perishable crops into non-perishable foods, reducing waste and providing income even when market conditions were challenging. Having good risk mitigation planning in place is crucial. For example, displaced communities were supported to engage in a pig contract farming initiative, as this form of income generation enabled these communities to quickly sell their pigs when facing the risk of further displacement, providing a flexible livelihood opportunity.

A&FS Newsletter - March 2024