We all use the language. Our project proposals are filled with commitments to “leverage markets,” “catalyze value chains,” and “unlock private sector engagement.” It’s the accepted lexicon of modern economic development. But let’s be honest: how often do these leveraged markets stay catalyzed after our projects end? How often is “systemic change” more of a buzzword in our Theories of Change than a tangible outcome in the communities we serve? The problem might lie in a fundamental flaw in our...

In development practice, we often talk about “leveraging markets and value systems”  to achieve development outcomes. But knowing where the market currently stands  is just as critical. It shapes how we design interventions, target investments, and define what “systemic change” really means in our theory of change. To do it better, we need to ask: Why do some markets take off, buzzing with activity, innovation, and opportunity, while others remain stuck in cycles of dependency? And how do we...

Partnership building in international development organisations