Market Facilitation
Practitioner Job Support Tools
This resource supports field staff in managing and running market systems development projects. The resource
includes templates, guidelines, tools and illustrative examples that are being used by project staff to support
other market facilitation practitioners and project managers to practically implement or manage their market
facilitation activities.
Table of Contents
1.
I.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Staff Performance Assessments
 Competency Framework Appraisal Sheet (TetraTech)
 Performance Appraisal Form (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Staff Core Competency – Results Management (SAMARTH)
II.



Job & Consultant Position Postings
Scope of Work template: Value Chain Analysis Team Leader (ACDI/VOCA)
Job Description: Portfolio Manager - Livestock (Kenya Markets Trust)
Scope of Work template: End Market Analysis (ACDI/VOCA)
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III. Staff Job Descriptions
 Job Description template: Value Chain Specialist (ACDI/VOCA)
 Job Description: Knowledge, Learning & Practice Manager (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Job Description: Portfolio Officer - Inputs and Aquaculture (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Job Description: Portfolio Officer - Inputs (Kenya Markets Trust)
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2.
6
I.
PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Workplan & Intervention Planning
 Value Chain Project Design Tool (ACDI/VOCA)
 Intervention Plan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Intervention Plan Report Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Annual Workplan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Sample Workplan Table (ACDI/VOCA)
II.





Intervention Review & Reporting
Intervention Progress & Tactics Review Template (SAMARTH)
Market Development Project Activity Tracker (EcoVentures International)
After Action Review (TetraTech)
Quarterly Progress Updates Programme Template (SAMARTH)
Quarterly Progress Report & Action Plan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
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3.
I.
IMPLEMENTATION
Designing Interventions
 Have-You-Tried –Everything-Else-Test (EWB)
II.
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Delivering Traditional Capacity Building & Meetings
Training Quick Guide (TetraTech)
Workshops Quick Guide (TetraTech)
Round Table / Forum Quick Guide (TetraTech)
Coaching Quick Guide (TetraTech)
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8
9
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III. Delivering Non-Traditional Capacity Building & Meetings
 Exchange Visits Quick Guide (TetraTech)
 Exchange Visits Comprehensive Guide (EWB)
 Mentors & Interns Quick Guide (TetraTech)
 Stakeholder Workshops Guideline (World Vision)
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9
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IV. Observing & Facilitating Market Actor Behavior
 Firm-level Performance Improvement Planning Tool (TetraTech)
 The fLIP (Firm Level Improvement Plan) Template (EWB)
 Record of Partner Buy-In Activity Log Excerpt (SAMARTH)
 Observation Diary Excerpt (SAMARTH)
 Early Warning Checks (SAMARTH)
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V.
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



Market Surveys
 Questions For Smallholder Farmers (Practical Action)
 Market Development Perception Survey Template - to survey Implementing Partners
(EcoVentures International)
 Market Development Perception Survey Template - to survey Government (EcoVentures
International)
 Find out about Groups survey template (CRS)
 Five Skill Set Checklist survey template (CRS)
 Producer Group Business Practices Assessment Tool (World Vision)
4.
I.
MANAGING PARTNERSHIPS
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Managing Partnership & Grant Applications
 Markets Development Fund Grant Application Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
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Planning & Developing Cost-Shares & MOUs
Cost Sharing Quick Guide (TetraTech)
Cost-sharing: General Guidelines (EWB)
Cost-share agreement template (TetraTech)
Cost-share agreement template (EWB)
MOU Template for Agricultural Input Activities (ACDI VOCA)
MOU Example for Export Firm Partnership with Project (World Vision)
MOU template for Export Firm Partnership with Project (Cardno EMG)
Developing MOUs in Market Development Projects (EcoVentures International)
Developing MOUs in Market Development Projects (EcoVentures International)
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II.


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

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
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III. Managing Cost-Shares & MOUs
 Sample Format for Submission of Expenditures by Lead Firms (AFE)
 Sample Table for Monitoring Lead Firm Intervention Financials (AFE)
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5.
I.
M&E
Monitoring Plans
 Results Chain Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Measurement Plan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Results Chain ‘Traffic Light’ Rating (SAMARTH)
II.


Results Chains Examples
Results Chain Sample for Nepal Ginger Disease Management (SAMARTH)
Sample Causal Model for Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (ACDI/VOCA)
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III. Indicators
 Indicators of Value Chain Sustainability (ACDI VOCA)
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IV. Reporting
 Intervention Report Template (Kenya Markets Trust)
 Group Members’ Progress Assessment Template (CARE)
 Participatory Performance Tracking and Group Scoring Template (CARE)
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6.
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I.
RESOURCES
Facilitation
 Principles of Facilitation Handout (EWB)
 The Offer Arsenal (EWB)
 Tips for Building Flexibility into Market Systems Development Projects (ACDI/VOCA)
 Business model canvas (Business Model Generation)
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1. Human Resources
I.
Staff Performance Assessments
 Competency Framework Appraisal Sheet (TetraTech)



Description: Tool lays out our core values and what it looks like to be
more competent over time and what a staff person should be working
on.
Example of how used: Used for performance management, reviews
and orientations.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity,
Uganda
 Performance Appraisal Form (Kenya Markets Trust)


Description: Detailed performance appraisal guideline, rating scale and
template
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Staff Core Competency – Results Management (SAMARTH)



II.
Description: Staff core competencies for results management.
Example of how used: Teams were requested to discuss their own
capacity gaps on a monthly basis, which formed the basis for
identifying any learning needs.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
Job & Consultant Position Postings
 Scope of Work template: Value Chain Analysis Team Leader
(ACDI/VOCA)


Description: Scope of Work template for a consultant to lead a value
chain analysis team for a project.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
4
 Job Description: Portfolio Manager - Livestock (Kenya
Markets Trust)



Description: Job posting from market facilitation project for a mid-to
upper-level staff position involved in managing their livestock portfolio
Example of how used: Posted in local newspapers when searching to
fill position.
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Scope of Work template: End Market Analysis (ACDI/VOCA)


III.
Description: Scope of Work template for a consultant to conduct an
end-market analysis on a project.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
Staff Job Descriptions
 Job Description template: Value Chain Specialist (ACDI/VOCA)


Description: Job description template for a value chain specialist
position.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
 Job Description: Knowledge, Learning & Practice Manager
(Kenya Markets Trust)



Description: Detailed job description for market facilitation project for
a mid-level staff position involved in managing the ‘knowledge,
learning and practice’ activities
Example of how used: Provided to staff at start of job, updated
annually and used to guide performance assessment process
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Job Description: Portfolio Officer - Inputs and Aquaculture
(Kenya Markets Trust)



Description: Detailed job description for market facilitation project for
a junior-level staff position involved in developing inputs and
aquaculture market systems.
Example of how used: Provided to staff at start of job, updated
annually and used to guide performance assessment process
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
5
 Job Description: Portfolio Officer - Inputs (Kenya Markets
Trust)



Description: Detailed job description for market facilitation project for
a junior-level staff position involved in developing inputs and market
systems.
Example of how used: Provided to staff at start of job, updated
annually and used to guide performance assessment process
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
2. PROJECT MANAGEMENT
I.
Workplan & Intervention Planning
 Value Chain Project Design Tool (ACDI/VOCA)


Description: Detailed step-by-step guide to designing a value chain
project. Includes guidelines and worksheets on analyzing opportunities
and constraints, developing a strategy, prioritizing activities, and
designing a project.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
 Intervention Plan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)



Description: Detailed excel template, which includes spreadsheets such
as: Cover page, Background story, Results Chain, Measurement plan,
etc.
Example of how used: Used in initial planning and writing up of
project plans.
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Intervention Plan Report Template (Kenya Markets Trust)



Description: Template summarizing contents of intervention report
which summarizes what happened in an intervention, estimates the
impact at all levels from the intervention and notes lessons learned.
Example of how used: Used in conjunction with Intervention Plan
Template excel document.
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
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 Annual Workplan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)


Description: Template in excel that provides basic structure to annual
workplan
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Sample Workplan Table (ACDI/VOCA)


II.
Description: Sample workplan table showing an external workplan
version for purpose of submission to a donor.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
Intervention Review & Reporting
 Intervention Progress & Tactics Review Template (SAMARTH)



Description: Template to assess changes seen at firm level and in the
market place
Example of how used: Project staff use template at monthly project
team meetings
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
 Market Development Project Activity Tracker (EcoVentures
International)



Description: Template to provide structure to regular project reporting
and team updates. Includes update on technical activities, signals for
market actor ownership, and reflection on recent learning.
Example of how used: Team members updated document
collaboratively through Google docs and used content to guide
meetings and report preparation. Used to support project work in
Kenya.
Source: EcoVentures International
 After Action Review (TetraTech)



Description: Template to review and learn from project activity
Example of how used: Used after every activity and circulated widely to
improve knowledge flows and learning
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity,
Uganda
7
 Quarterly Progress Updates Programme Template
(SAMARTH)
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

Description: Template to provide update on key activities and results in
quarter, and to assess if interventions are on track.
Example of how used: Project staff use template to prepare quarterly
reports.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
 Quarterly Progress Report & Action Plan Template (Kenya
Markets Trust)


Description: Template for quarterly reporting on a articular sector or
market system. Includes reporting on performance of sector along with
project approach.
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
3. IMPLEMENTATION
I.
Designing Interventions
 Have-You-Tried –Everything-Else-Test (EWB)


II.
Description: General test on which types of interventions have been
considered classified by level of market distortion and risk of
uncertainty
Sourced: EWB Canada
Delivering Traditional Capacity Building & Meetings
 Training Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and running trainings with ways of adapting them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
8
 Workshops Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and running workshops with ways of adapting them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
 Round Table / Forum Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and running round tables and forums with ways of adapting
them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
 Coaching Quick Guide (TetraTech)


III.
Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and conducting coaching with ways of adapting them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
Delivering Non-Traditional Capacity Building & Meetings
 Exchange Visits Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and running exchange visits with ways of adapting them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
 Exchange Visits Comprehensive Guide (EWB)


Description: Guide on planning and running exchange visits for staff
and/or market actors.
Source: EWB Canada
 Mentors & Interns Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and providing mentors and interns to firms.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
9
 Stakeholder Workshops Guideline (World Vision)


IV.
Description: Guideline on facilitating stakeholder workshops with
multiple groups of market actors.
Source: World Vision, Integrating the Very Poor into Value Chains
Field Guide
Observing & Facilitating Market Actor Behavior
 Firm-level Performance Improvement Planning Tool
(TetraTech)


Description: This tool is for the performance of the businesses that
projects are working with, and not staff performance. The tool
considers: What type of performance are we working on? What would
it look like if they adopted this performance practice? What activities
are we planning to get them to adopt the performance? What’s next?
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity,
Uganda
 The fLIP (Firm Level Improvement Plan) Template (EWB)


Description: Template to consider firm behaviors and next stage
support activities
Source: EWB Canada
 Record of Partner Buy-In Activity Log Excerpt (SAMARTH)


Description: Template with examples filled in showing interaction with
market player, project contribution and market actor contribution
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
 Observation Diary Excerpt (SAMARTH)


Description: Template with examples filled in showing market diary to
identify signals of change in the marketplace and at individual firm
level.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
10
 Early Warning Checks (SAMARTH)
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

V.
Description: Used to determine whether facilitators are on track and
aid decision-making.
Example of how used: Particularly important during pilot phase
interventions that are engaged in proving a change concept (e.g. testing
a business model) and/or a technical solution.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
Market Surveys
 Questions For Smallholder Farmers (Practical Action)



Description: Survey to be used with smallholder farmers involved in
livestock production and marketing
Example of how used: Project has used to gather information during
preliminary market mapping exercises in Southern Africa.
Source: Practical Action Zimbabwe
 Market Development Perception Survey Template - to survey
Implementing Partners (EcoVentures International)
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

Description: Template to survey the level of awareness and practice of
implementing partners (IPs) in applying market development practices.
Example of how used: Used by projects to assess their level of
influence on other international IPs in applying market development
practices. Used as a self-assessment tool to assess internal changes in
perception and behavior in applying market development practices.
Versions applied in Kenya and Nepal.
Source: EcoVentures International (EVI)
 Market Development Perception Survey Template - to survey
Government (EcoVentures International)



Description: Template to survey the level of awareness and practice of
government in applying market development practices.
Example of how used: Used by projects to assess their level of
influence on government stakeholders in applying market development
practices. Versions applied in Kenya and Nepal.
Source: EcoVentures International (EVI)
11
 Find out about Groups survey template (CRS)



Description: Designed to help those planning to work with farmer
groups to carry out an initial assessment of what groups already exist in
an area, their purposes, their membership and their history.
Example of how used: Used by field staff to plan this work, or by
farmers, with support of a facilitator, for participatory planning and
evaluation.
Source: CRS
 Five Skill Set Checklist survey template (CRS)
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

Description: Tool to assess the skills of existing farmer groups or newly
formed groups and can be applied before, during and after
interventions to improve the five skill sets.
Example of how used: Used by field staff to plan this work, or by
farmers, with support of a facilitator, for participatory planning and
evaluation.
Source: CRS
 Producer Group Business Practices Assessment Tool (World
Vision)



Description: Example of an assessment survey tool that a market
facilitator can use to determine the level of capacity of a producer group
or community-based organization. Considers: leadership, governance,
strategy, finances, organisational structure, planning, project design,
management, networking, and advocacy.
Example of how used:
Source: World Vision, Integrating the Very Poor into Value Chains
Field Guide
4. MANAGING PARTNERSHIPS
I.
Managing Partnership & Grant Applications
 Markets Development Fund Grant Application Template
(Kenya Markets Trust)

Description: Template to capture all objectives and commitments of
any direct disbursement of funds to a market actor.
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

II.
Example of how used: Completed and signed off on by local market
actor, technical staff involved, and M&E staff involved for each costshare or grant type arrangement made.
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
Planning & Developing Cost-Shares & MOUs
 Cost Sharing Quick Guide (TetraTech)


Description: Guide that gives staff a simple reference tool for
organizing and managing cost shares with ways of adapting them.
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity
‘Facilitation Activity Playbook’, Uganda
 Cost-sharing: General Guidelines (EWB)


Description: General guidelines on when cost-sharing is appropriate
and how to structure cost-share agreements
Source: EWB Canada
 Cost-share agreement template (TetraTech)


Description: A tool for staff to think through and manage cost-shares
effectively
Source: TetraTech’s Feed the Future Agricultural Inputs Activity,
Uganda
 Cost-share agreement template (EWB)


Description: A tool for staff to think through and manage cost-shares
effectively
Source: EWB Canada
 MOU Template for Agricultural Input Activities (ACDI VOCA)


Description: Template for a MOU between the project and a private
sector partner.
Source: ACDI VOCA
13
 MOU Example for Export Firm Partnership with Project
(World Vision)



Description: Example of a MOU between the project and a private
sector export firm.
Example of how used: MOU used in project partnership with mango
export firm in Haiti.
Source: World Vision US
 MOU template for Export Firm Partnership with Project
(Cardno EMG)


Description: Tsmplate for a MOU between a project and a private
sector business.
Source: Cardno EMG (via submission to World Vision US for value
chain field guide for reaching the very poor)
 Developing MOUs in Market Development Projects
(EcoVentures International)



Description: Practical lessons learned on establishing MOUs in market
development projects.
Example of how used: Guide field staff in discussing and designing
MOUs with market actors.
Source: EcoVentures International (EVI)
 Developing MOUs in Market Development Projects
(EcoVentures International)



III.
Description: Practical lessons learned on establishing MOUs in market
development projects.
Example of how used: Guide field staff in discussing and designing
MOUs with market actors.
Source: EcoVentures International (EVI)
Managing Cost-Shares & MOUs
 Sample Format for Submission of Expenditures by Lead Firms
(AFE)

Description: Sample invoice, and supporting documentation which
development organizations may require private sector firms to submit
as part of MOU or cost-share processes.
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

Example of how used: This template can be used by companies that
are collaborating with developing organizations to prepare financial
reports that present expenditures and request the cost-share amounts
for agreed- upon activities.
Source: Action for Enterprise ‘Tools & Methodologies for
Collaborating with Lead Firms: A Practitioner’s Manual’
 Sample Table for Monitoring Lead Firm Intervention
Financials (AFE)



Description: Sample invoice, and supporting documentation which
development organizations may require private sector firms to submit
as part of MOU or cost-share processes.
Example of how used: (For internal use by Development
Organizations)
Source: Action for Enterprise ‘Tools & Methodologies for
Collaborating with Lead Firms: A Practitioner’s Manual’
5. M&E
I.
Monitoring Plans
 Results Chain Template (Kenya Markets Trust)


Description: Detailed excel template used in initial design of Results
Chains
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
Intervention Plan Template document
 Measurement Plan Template (Kenya Markets Trust)


Description: Detailed excel template used in initial planning of
Measurement Plans
Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
Intervention Plan Template document
 Results Chain ‘Traffic Light’ Rating (SAMARTH)


Description: Visual aid to support greater usability of results chains.
Example of how used: Teams use results chains as visual aids by
highlighting sticky points by color coding components of the results
chains.
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
II.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
Results Chains Examples
 Results Chain Sample for Nepal Ginger Disease Management
(SAMARTH)


Description: Example of results chain from ginger disease management
system, showing ‘first wave’ and ‘second wave’ logic.
Source: ASI’s SAMARTH Nepal Market Development Programme’s
‘Making Sense of ‘Messiness’: Monitoring and measuring change in
market systems: a practitioner's perspective’
 Sample Causal Model for Agricultural Value Chain
Development Project (ACDI/VOCA)


III.
Description: Example of causal model for Ethiopian agricultural value
chain development project.
Source: ACDI/VOCA
Indicators
 Indicators of Value Chain Sustainability (ACDI VOCA)



IV.
Description: Illustrative indicators that are helpful in suggesting
whether a project is on track for achieving sustainable impact.
Example of how used: Project does not use any of the indicators in
isolation as no one of the indicators provides evidence of sustainability,
but positive movement in several of the areas strengthens the projects’
claims of achieving sustainable impact.
Source: ACDI VOCA
Reporting
 Intervention Report Template (Kenya Markets Trust)


Description: An intervention report template summarizing what
happened in an intervention, estimate the impact at all levels from the
intervention and note lessons learned.
Example of how used: It is drafted after the early impact study, and
finalized after the last impact study.
16

Source: Kenya Markets Trust’ Market Assistance Programme
 Group Members’ Progress Assessment Template (CARE)



Description: A template to capture information about producer group
members’ inventory, production, consumption, and distribution status.
Also captures knowledge and practice of new techniques, women’s
empowerment, property ownership, expenditures on inputs,
performance of linked market actors, savings group information, and
unintended consequences.
Example of how used: Producer groups complete and submit this form
periodically or are asked questions verbally by an interview.
Source: CARE US
 Participatory Performance Tracking and Group Scoring
Template (CARE)



Description: A template to capture information about producer group
members’ practices followed by a guideline on how to rate a producer
groups’ maturity based on the level of practices that they have
undertaken. The example is based on a dairy market system.
Example of how used: Producer groups complete and submit this form
periodically or are asked questions verbally by an interview.
Source: CARE US
6. RESOURCES
I.
Facilitation
 Principles of Facilitation Handout (EWB)


Description: General guidelines on when cost-sharing is appropriate
and how to structure cost-share agreements
Source: EWB Canada
 The Offer Arsenal (EWB)


Description: List of actions that can be taken by a facilitator,
considering pre-requisites and the drivers to behavior change
Source: EWB Canada
17
 Tips for Building Flexibility into Market Systems Development
Projects (ACDI/VOCA)


Description: Tips for Building Flexibility into Value Chain/Market
Systems Development Projects
Source: ACDI VOCA
 Business model canvas (Business Model Generation)



Description: Template that focuses on a company’s value proposition,
which is the cornerstone of behaviors the project is trying to get firms
to adopt
Example of how used: Used by TetraTech’s Feed the Future
Agricultural Inputs Activity, Uganda when working with firms
Source: BusinessModelGeneration.com (free download)
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