RECONOMY’s Inception Phase: Lessons on how to Navigate Complexity

RECONOMY Inception report_full

Typically, in projects that follow the Market Systems Development (MSD) approach, the inception phase includes the establishment of initial partnerships to refine engagement strategies and gather early-stage learnings that inform implementation. For RECONOMY, the inception phase was about much more.

With its focus across multiple areas – including regional value addition across 12 countries in the Western Balkans and the Eastern Partnership, mainstreaming of Environment and Climate Change (ECC) considerations, and emphasis on Gender and Social Inclusion – RECONOMY’s design merited a longer-than-usual inception phase which ended up lasting 22 months. The Canopy Lab conducted a case study to harvest the knowledge and experience gained during this time, including how the program navigated the COVID-19 pandemic, political upheaval in Belarus, the war in Armenia and Azerbaijan, and the war in Ukraine.

Maha Elhayek

Senior Consultant

I specialize in market systems development in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Over the past decade, I have advised programs across the MENA region, Africa, and Eastern Europe. My work spans agricultural and industrial sectors, focusing on market systems assessments, program design, and strategies that expand opportunities for marginalized groups and support gender mainstreaming. I enjoy applying systems thinking to uncover structural barriers, co-create locally grounded solutions, and advise on private sector partnerships. I am currently passionate about applying MSD approaches to address climate change challenges.

Andrew Panton

Senior Consultant

I am committed to improving human livelihoods and resilience in balance with nature. At the Canopy Lab, I provide research and advisory support to projects working on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation and resilience, nature-based solutions, sustainable tourism, and market systems development. Outside work, I’m a keen guitarist, cyclist and bookworm, with a love for food, travelling and learning languages.

JESSICA RUST-SMITH

Senior Consultant

I work across markets, business and supply chains, impact investing, agriculture, and women’s economic empowerment. I am an experienced monitoring, evaluation, research and learning consultant and project manager with expertise in the use of mixed methods, theory-based approaches and data collection and analysis. I have been working in M&E for market systems development for 10 years now, and going strong.