Building a Self-Sustaining Future
Introduction :
The Omeed Social Organization (OSO) launched the Purchasing Power Program (P3) with a bold vision: to create a system that reduces the cost of living for vulnerable families while empowering local businesses and promoting a cooperative economic model. Since its initial rollout, P3 has demonstrated the potential of grassroots economic resilience, evolving step-by-step with lessons learned and feedback from the community.
The Evolution of the Purchasing Power Program (P3)
P3 Version 1.0 – The Pilot Phase
Duration: 01/02/2025 – 31/03/2025
Version 1.0 of the Purchasing Power Program was a two-month experimental launch aimed at testing the feasibility and impact of the model. Ten beneficiary members were to be registered, each receiving a 10% discount on purchases from a professional partner store (Kefayat General Store, Masjid Road, Parachinar), up to a monthly cap of 20,000 PKR. The discount was covered by OSO and reimbursed to the partner at the end of each agreed cycle.
Key Achievements:
5 out of 10 beneficiary members successfully registered
~7,000 PKR in total discounts distributed
Positive beneficiary feedback on monthly renewal and financial relief
Smooth collaboration with one professional partner
Challenges Faced:
Market instability due to road closures
Difficulty engaging hesitant or unaware community members
Supply limitations and inflation during the operational period
Despite these challenges, P3 v1.0 proved the model’s validity and opened the door for expansion.
P3 Version 1.1 – A Refined Approach
Duration: 01/04/2025 – 30/04/2025
With the foundation laid by Version 1.0, OSO is launching P3 v1.1 as a short-term yet significant update. The core structure remains intact, but a number of refinements have been introduced:
Key Updates:
Increased discount: Raised from 10% to 15% for beneficiary members
Beneficiary count: Target remains at 10 (with 5 already registered)
Continued partnership: Kefayat General Store remains the sole partner to ensure operational focus
Public visibility: OSO begins active engagement with the public to raise awareness about its vision and values
Introduction of Regular Members: Recruitment of at least 20 regular members who support the program passively through their purchases, generating 1% business contributions back to OSO
P3 v1.1 also serves as a transition into the public space for OSO, signaling a new phase of transparency, participation, and grassroots mobilization.
Looking Ahead – P3 Future Versions
As OSO continues to grow and evolve, so will the Purchasing Power Program. Future versions are planned to:
Expand the number of beneficiary members and partner stores
Introduce local production and supply chain integration to reduce dependency on external markets
Strengthen digital tracking systems for transparency and efficiency
Diversify membership categories, offering tailored benefits to regular, youth, student, or senior members
OSO will follow a clear versioning model:
Major updates: v1.2, v1.3, etc.
Minor improvements: v1.1.1, v1.2.1, etc.
Critical overhauls: v2.0, v3.0
Conclusion
The Purchasing Power Program is not just an initiative—it is a step toward a larger movement for self-sufficiency, fairness, and economic dignity in Parachinar. Through small but meaningful interventions, P3 proves that sustainable change is possible when communities unite around shared purpose and cooperative solutions. As OSO continues to build and adapt, P3 will remain at the heart of its mission to empower lives—one purchase at a time.