ESCAP Inclusive Business

The #agriculture sector is the backbone of society, and its development holds great potential to uplift #smallholderfarmers. While past approaches to agricultural growth were often government-led and farmer-focused, the role of #inclusivebusiness models has become crucial in driving #sustainable transformation.🌱 Recognizing this, United Nations ESCAP, in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the “Regional Inclusive Business Models in Agriculture and Food Systems” initiative in #India, #Thailand, and #Vietnam. 🌾 This initiative, recently featured in the "Seeding the Future: Transforming Smallholder Farms for a Sustainable Tomorrow" report by Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) and Wavemaker Impact, with support from the Philanthropy Asia Alliance, aimed to: 🔹Accelerate the adoption of innovative business models 🔹Promote inclusive agricultural transformation by enhancing access to technologies, services, and platforms 🔹Create above-market-rate income opportunities for marginalized communities 🔹Support governments in delivering affordable, essential services that lift people out of poverty at scale 📘Access the report here: https://lnkd.in/guxGQp7h 🔗Learn more about ESCAP's work on promoting inclusive business: https://lnkd.in/gF_AgHJ3

🌍Recognizing and Promoting Inclusive Business in Viet Nam💼 On 15 October 2024, over 80 participants from the public and private sectors gathered at the Vietnam National Innovation Center in Hanoi for a workshop to promote #InclusiveBusiness in the #agriculture sector in #Vietnam🌾 The event launched the 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗶𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘁 𝗡𝗮𝗺, building on the success of the first pilot earlier this year. Part of the government’s three-year programme to support private enterprises pursuing #sustainable and inclusive business practices, IB #accreditation promotes #inclusivegrowth by linking recognized businesses with financial and non-financial incentives. To support these efforts, United Nations ESCAP provided the Manual for Inclusive Business Accreditation in Viet Nam, offering practical tools, indicators, and a rating system. 📘Access the manual: https://lnkd.in/ezwCEa2Z Organized by the Agency for Enterprise Development under the Ministry of Planning and Investment, in collaboration with FTU Innovation and Incubation Space, Foreign Trade University, Clickable Impact and within the framework of the AUS4ASEAN Futures project, the workshop introduced the 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝘂𝗯𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗘𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. 🌱

🌾 Exploring Opportunities for Inclusive Business in Thailand's Agrifood Systems 🚜🌱 In #Thailand, over 60% of the low-income population is employed in #agriculture and food systems, earning less than $120 per month. 📉 By fostering inclusive businesses in these sectors, we can boost efficiency, profitability, and the income of #smallholderfarmers — ultimately driving #povertyreduction and promoting #sustainabledevelopment. The 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝘂𝗱𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗶𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 explores key opportunities for inclusive business models and provides actionable recommendations for their support and growth. 📑 🔗 Read the full report here: https://lnkd.in/gcYu3Nah United Nations ESCAP | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation | Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) | #OSMEP

🌍 Meet Selyn Sri Lanka, a leading example of #Inclusive and #Sustainable business and the country’s only #FairTrade certified social enterprise! Founded and led by women, Selyn empowers over 1,000 women artisans and marginalized groups in rural communities through flexible and dignified employment. 🌱 With a strong focus on the informal economy, Selyn uplifts rural communities and champions #SustainableDevelopment by preserving traditional skills, driving product and process innovation, and providing meaningful employment that considers the realities of rural women in Sri Lanka. 💬Curious to learn more about Selyn’s impactful journey? Read our interview with Selyna Peiris,the company's Director Business Development: https://lnkd.in/g6ydsMRP #WomenEmpowerment #SocialImpact #RuralDevelopment

📊 Unlocking Impact - Action Plan to Develop Inclusive and Sustainable Business Capacities in Sri Lanka 💡 The 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗿𝗶 𝗟𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗮 developed by The Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka in partnership with the Ministry of Industries and with technical support from United Nations ESCAP was officially launched in late August at the National Forum on Sustainable Development Goals. Building on the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗲 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗕𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀, endorsed by the Cabinet of Ministers earlier this year, the Action Plan aims to boost Sri Lanka’s global market competitiveness by empowering businesses to adopt, scale, and maintain inclusive and sustainable practices. 🌐 This comprehensive plan maps out activities for enhancing individual, organizational, and ecosystem capacities, with six focus areas: 🔹 Certification, accreditation, and impact reporting 🔹 Branding and recognition 🔹 Access to finance and investment 🔹 Engaging low-income and vulnerable groups 🔹 Building green business opportunities 🔹 Value chain development and export readiness Learn more about the Action Plan and the Background Report below:  📄 Action Plan to Develop Inclusive and Sustainable Business Capacities in Sri Lanka: https://lnkd.in/g4qhgrVk 📄 Background Report: https://lnkd.in/gmYmPjcS #SDGs #ISB #InclusiveBusiness #SriLanka #SustainableDevelopment

How can Inclusive Businesses in Thailand scale effectively and sustainably? 🌱 On September 30th, Fai Wechayachai moderated a discussion on ‘Supporting Inclusive Business Growth: Capacity Building and Financial Support’ during the Inclusive Business Landscape in Thailand Study Launch and Dialogue organised by United Nations ESCAP and ESCAP Inclusive Business. Fai, alongside experts Hataikan Kamolsirisakul, Pang (Thitirat) Sittakaradej, Massimo Vita, 🌻Moh Suthasiny Sudprasert explored two critical areas for scaling inclusive businesses: capacity building and financial support. The conversation highlighted a major 🚧 challenge – the gap between what investors are willing to finance and what businesses need to grow. One key🔑 takeaway: Investment readiness remains a barrier for many IBs, and longer-term financing options are essential for giving businesses the runway they need to succeed. Beyond finance, there’s a clear need for multi-stakeholder partnerships to help these businesses grow sustainably, with government and financial institutions playing pivotal roles. The dialogue showed that Thailand is at a tipping ⚖️ point for inclusive businesses, and with the right strategies and collaborations in place, these businesses can drive economic growth and social impact. #InclusiveBusiness #Thailand #SustainableGrowth #CapacityBuilding #OSMEP

📢 Calling all growth-stage businesses! 📊🌍 The SDG Venture Scaler by UNDP and the Centre for Impact Investing and Practices (CIIP) is now open for applications! This program is designed to support businesses that are driving impact through education, healthcare, and climate action across #Indonesia, #Vietnam, and the #Philippines. ✅Selected businesses will gain access to: Business advisory services, impact measurement tools, mentorship, government network connections, investor introductions and pitch opportunities. Key eligibility criteria: 📈 For-profit ventures, growth stage enterprises that have raised at least US$100,000 in funding and/or revenues of >US$100,000 over the past 12 months 🌱 Focus on SDGs related to Education, Healthcare, or Climate Action 🌏 Primary target markets: Indonesia, Vietnam, or the Philippines 🗓️ Applications are open until December 1, 2024. 🌐 More info about SDG Venture Scaler: https://lnkd.in/dGP3fV9P 🔗 Submit your application here: https://lnkd.in/eZtvguiY Apply today and scale your impact! #SDGVentureScaler #ImpactInvesting #SustainableDevelopment #Education #Healthcare #ClimateAction

🎥 Relive the highlights of the Seventh ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum! 🌏 A heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to the success of the Forum in Vientiane, Lao PDR. From insightful policy dialogues to impactful workshops, we made great strides in advancing #inclusivebusiness across ASEAN! 💼🌱 📢 We’re thrilled to announce that the Eighth #ASEAN Inclusive Business Forum will be held in #Malaysia next year, as we continue to drive progress towards a more inclusive and sustainable future. Stay tuned for updates and see you in 2025! Special thanks to the co-organizers, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce of #LaoPDR, United Nations ESCAP, OECD - OCDE, The ASEAN Secretariat for their dedication and support. #7AIBForum #ASEANInclusiveBusiness #LeaveNoOneBehind #SustainableDevelopment #ImpactInvestment #InclusiveGrowth

Happening one week from today! Please join us for this hybrid event hosted by the French Permanent Representation to the United Nations. Simel Esim Chantal Line Carpentier Víctor Meseguer Sánchez Lola Blanc Mansour Omeira Raymond Landveld

📊 Session Recap: Supporting Inclusive Business Growth – Inclusive Business Landscape in Thailand Study Launch and Dialogue 🌱 Session 3 focused on two critical areas for inclusive businesses seeking to scale: 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 and 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁. Moderated by Fai Wechayachai, Head of Market Development at GSG Impact, the session explored strategies for inclusive businesses to scale up effectively during their growth stage. 🔹 Hataikan Kamolsirisakul, Assistant Vice President at Thai Wah Public Company Limited, shared how Thai Wah engages smallholder farmers through sustainable supply chains, providing capacity building and offering above-market rates for locally sourced raw materials. 🔹 Pang (Thitirat) Sittakaradej, Principal at Asian Development Bank (ADB) Ventures, discussed the characteristics they seek in investable impact businesses and ways to improve access to finance for inclusive businesses. 🔹 Massimo Vita, Executive Director at Impact+ Advisory, emphasized the importance of investment readiness and addressed the capacity gaps among inclusive businesses in accessing finance. 🔹 🌻Moh Suthasiny Sudprasert Sudprasert, Co-Chief Executive Officer at Happy Ground, shared the company’s experience in securing financing, the capacity challenges they’ve faced, and the role of impact investment in scaling their inclusive business model. This session highlighted the need for innovative financing solutions and targeted capacity building to ensure inclusive businesses can scale and expand their impact. 🔗 Read the full study here: https://lnkd.in/geCJPXAT Let’s continue working together to support the growth of inclusive businesses in #Thailand and beyond! #InclusiveBusiness #CapacityBuilding #ImpactInvestment #OSMEP #SustainableGrowth #MSMEs United Nations ESCAP