Engaging the Private Sector in Protracted Refugee Contexts

This K4DD Rapid Evidence Review explores the impact of Market Systems Development (MSD) approaches on household self-reliance and resilience in protracted displacement contexts.

Shifting from a purely humanitarian to a more integrated humanitarian-development approach, MSD aims to address market failures and create inclusive economic opportunities for displaced populations. While evaluations of MSD approaches in poverty reduction programmes show promising results, challenges like legal, regulatory, and market limitations hinder its full potential in displacement settings.

The review highlights the importance of market system resilience (MSR) for household resilience and the importance of utilising both push strategies (building the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of individuals) and pull strategies (connect them to markets and increase the number and quality of available jobs and business opportunities). Case studies on MSD approaches linked to graduation models and cash-based interventions provide further insights into effective implementation.