Building resilience through market -based solutions in fragile and conflict-affected settings

This paper makes the case for prioritising market-based programming (MBP) in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS).

It argues that markets rarely collapse entirely, even in active conflict, and that humanitarian and development actors should engage with them rather than bypass them.

Drawing on programme evidence from Sudan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Myanmar, Uganda, Yemen and Ukraine, it presents a three-level framework for market engagement - using markets, supporting markets and facilitating market system change - and demonstrates the value-for-money advantages of each.

Key success factors include understanding localised conflict and climate dynamics, intervening at the systems level early, building mutually beneficial private sector partnerships, conducting regular adaptive assessments and coordinating across humanitarian and development actors.