Day 2 (15th May): PMSD in depth and applications to the hibiscus and livestock projects

With the help of super-Shibby, I tried to build our PMSD approach in from of Khalid's and Riffat's eyes; using their experience and projects.

I allowed Khalid and Riffat to talk about the social architecture of each project (WDAs and VDCs). This was a got starting point to move into PMSD:

• definitions of markets, including market systems and why we prefer this lens to look at markets
• the basics of the market map
• our conceptual model (with improved livelihoods as the end, markets as the means, and empowerment and structural system transformations as the two sides of the same coin of making mkts work better for the 'poor')
• MoG's and IG's and what is their role in the model. We even developed (on the spot) a very simple method to incorporate the power dimension in the selection of IG members (exciting! it was like magic)
• our operational model (internal preparation, preliminary market map, participatory market system analysis, action plan)
• operational principles: get people together, let them find their own solutions and blockages, and promote win-win relations... amongst others that came up as we discussed

It is amazing how fast the PMs get the approach. I am also happy to see how the model helps them make sense of many things they are already doing and how it also helps them to identify gaps in their projects.

Ahh... what a great day that was.