ESCAP Inclusive Business

? We successfully wrapped up an insightful workshop on "Establishing an #InclusiveBusiness Accreditation System in #SriLanka" in collaboration with the The Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka on 24 February! Bringing together government officials, industry experts, and entrepreneurs, the workshop explored how an #IBAccreditation system can unlock targeted financial and non-financial support from the government, while empowering businesses with growth opportunities, brand visibility, and access to #impactinvestment. ??Key Highlights: ?? Chamindry Saparamadu, Director General of the The Sustainable Development Council of Sri Lanka, shared insights on Sri Lanka��s IB landscape and strategic recommendations. ?? During a dynamic fireside chat, Navaka Navaratne, Vihangun Ariyaratne, Asitha Jayasinghe and Dushmantha Dissanayake discussed potential inclusive business models in Sri Lanka and how IB accreditation can be leveraged as a business asset. ??Marta P��rez Cus��, Economic Affairs Officer, United Nations ESCAP, presented the rationale, core components, and implementation steps for establishing an IB accreditation system in Sri Lanka. ?? Hoang Ngan Pham shared insights from Viet Nam��s IB Accreditation Pilot, while William Baxter provided key learnings from the European Chamber of Commerce��s experience in IB accreditation. ??During interactive group exercises, participants explored a governance framework adapted for Sri Lanka, and financial and non-financial incentives that can be strategically linked to accredited inclusive businesses. With important insights and active participation, this workshop laid the groundwork for establishing an IB accreditation system that will drive inclusive and sustainable business growth in Sri Lanka. ?? Learn more: Access the United Nations ESCAP's Manual for an Inclusive Business Accreditation System ?? https://lnkd.in/grsfmfAZ

?? Empowering Women Farmers: How Be��nishan is Driving Impact as an #SDGHero Can a business do good while doing well? Be��nishan proves that it can! This women-led Farmer Producer Company (FPC) in Telangana, India is transforming agriculture by providing small-scale women farmers with access to markets, finance, quality inputs, and training. The impact speaks for itself: ?? 21% increase in farmer incomes ???? 120,000+ women farmers empowered ?? USD 5 million turnover Be��nishan��s success shows that businesses profitability and social impact can go hand in hand. ?Swipe through the carousel to see how this #InclusiveBusiness model is uplifting communities ��and how it can be replicated in other geographies. #SustainableDevelopment #2030Agenda #GlobalGoals #SDGs

?? Reflecting on a Year of Impact: Key Achievements in Promoting Inclusive Business United Nations ESCAP��s Promoting Inclusive Business in Asia and the Pacific project has been a multi-year effort, bringing together partners, policymakers, and businesses to drive sustainable and inclusive growth. As we move into 2025, we are excited to build on this momentum and scale the impact of inclusive businesses across the region. ?? Check out our brochure to explore some of our key achievements: ? Coached 29 agribusinesses to strengthen their inclusive business models ? Mobilized USD 23.5 million in investments for inclusive businesses ? Directly benefited 18,726 smallholder farmers, enhancing livelihoods and market access ? Facilitated 200+ investor-business meetings to unlock funding opportunities ? Provided evidence-based policy recommendations through studies and manuals ?? Special thanks to our partners and collaborators for their invaluable support in making these achievements possible. Gates Foundation | Invest India | The ASEAN Secretariat | OECD - OCDE | Telangana Food Processing Society | Haryana | Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam | Endeva | Ecociate | Intellecap | Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI) | FTU Innovation and Incubation Space | ANGIN | The Global Impact Investing Network | Impact Investors Council (IIC) | Impact Hub Asia Pacific | Value For Women Ltd. | raiSE SG #InclusiveBusiness #SustainableDevelopment

Current Opportunities for Social Entrepreneurs ?? If you��re working on bold solutions in climate, health, equity, or economic resilience, our partners are offering these opportunities to help you scale your impact: ?? Halcyon Fellowships �C Tailored business training & resources with no equity required. ??? Deadline: February 16, 2024 ?? Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/g8zBNGfD ?? KBF Africa Prize �C �250,000 + global visibility for African organizations driving long-term impact. ??? Deadline: March 3, 2025 ?? Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/g8DaXp6S ?? Bayer Foundation Women Entrepreneurs Award �C Supporting female founders in health & food security. ??? Deadline: February 18, 2024 ?? Learn more & apply: https://lnkd.in/gGKHGnUH ?? Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) �C Up to $2M in funding for transformative projects in commodity value chains, with a focus on SMEs & women-led enterprises. ??? Deadline: April 1, 2025 ?? More info: https://lnkd.in/gS7CNr_H Know someone who should apply? Tag them below! ??

???Launching #Inclusive Business Future Leaders (IBFL) Program Are you a?#student or budding #entrepreneur?passionate about?transforming #agriculture and #food systems in the Global South? Do you aspire to build?#inclusive, #sustainable solutions?that #empower #communities and drive meaningful change? Introducing the?Inclusive Business Future Leaders (IBFL) Program, an ?IBEN-Inclusive Business Ecosystem Network initiative, designed to shape the next generation of?impact-driven leaders! Through IBFL, we are?investing in young leaders like you��providing the #knowledge, skills, and networks to create?businesses that not only grow but also uplift communities. ???Why This Matters? #Agriculture and #Foodsystems play a crucial role in?#livelihoods, #foodsecurity, and #sustainability. Yet, millions of #smallholderfarmers, #women producers, and vulnerable communities remain?excluded?from #agri-food innovations. This program is your chance to be part of the solution��learning how to integrate?social, environmental, and economic goals?to build businesses that create lasting impact. ???What��s in it for You? ??Exclusive mentorship?from industry experts & IBEN leadership ??Hands-on exposure?to real-world inclusive business models ??Access to a national & international network?of changemakers ??Flexible 2-month program��can be joined as part of?summer or winter internships ??IBFL Certificate?upon completion ???Be a Changemaker! Apply Now! ???Application Deadline: 5th March 2025 ???Apply today!? https://lnkd.in/geR9TKv5] Kirti Mishra Santosh Gupta Ecociate Ayush Mondal Nirmallya Mandal ESCAP Inclusive Business IIFM Bhopal OP Jindal University Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad media-e- niam #FutureLeaders #InclusiveBusiness #Agriculture #FoodSystems #ImpactEntrepreneurs #IBEN

??Take Your Social Venture to New Heights with the CHIEF Fellowship! ?? Calling Asia��s funders and social innovators��this is your opportunity to scale your impact! The Asia Centre for Changemakers (ACC) has launched the Changemaker Impact Endeavour Fellowship (CHIEF)��a unique 1-year fellowship designed to empower wealth owners and social innovators to reimagine the purpose of capital and create impactful solutions. ?? What to Expect: ?? Learn from the world-class curriculum by the London School of Economics Marshall Institute. ?? Immerse yourself in vibrant social innovation hubs in the UK and Asia. ?? Collaborate with like-minded changemakers in a safe and supportive space to build a lifelong community. ?? Embark on two immersive learning journeys��to the UK and Indonesia. ?? Join a year-long fellowship with just 15 days of in-person commitment. ?? Selected social innovators will receive scholarships worth over SGD30,000 to participate in this impactful program. ?? Learn more and apply here: https://lnkd.in/gy9_r7rd Wealth Management Institute (WMI) | Temasek | Philanthropy Asia Alliance

?? Celebrating Champions of Inclusive Business in Viet Nam ?? As we conclude the Second Pilot of #InclusiveBusiness Accreditation in Viet Nam, we are thrilled to spotlight the accredited and potential inclusive businesses and their support organizations in fostering a more inclusive #agricultural sector. ??? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? These companies have demonstrated their commitment to inclusive practices, creating #sustainable solutions that address social and economic challenges while delivering value to underserved communities. ??? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? Recognized for their promising initiatives, these businesses are on the path to achieving #IBAccreditation. ??? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????????? (??????????) Acknowledged as key partners, these IBSOs have shown their capacity in providing coaching, consulting, and support services to inclusive businesses. Building on this momentum, Agency for Enterprise Development - Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam, FTU Innovation and Incubation Space, and United Nations ESCAP will continue to promote inclusive business models in Viet Nam.

?? Celebrating Champions of Inclusive Business in Viet Nam ?? As we conclude the Second Pilot of #InclusiveBusiness Accreditation in Viet Nam, we are thrilled to spotlight the accredited and potential inclusive businesses and their support organizations in fostering a more inclusive #agricultural sector. ??? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? ???? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? These companies have demonstrated their commitment to inclusive practices, creating #sustainable solutions that address social and economic challenges while delivering value to underserved communities. ??? ?????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????? Recognized for their promising initiatives, these businesses are on the path to achieving #IBAccreditation. ??? ???????????????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????? ?????????????? ?????????????????????????? (??????????) Acknowledged as key partners, these IBSOs have shown their capacity in providing coaching, consulting, and support services to inclusive businesses. Building on this momentum, Agency for Enterprise Development - Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam, FTU Innovation and Incubation Space, and United Nations ESCAP will continue to promote inclusive business models in Viet Nam.

?? Recognition of Inclusive Businesses in Viet Nam: Culmination of the 2nd Pilot ?? On 20 December 2024, the "Social Impact Pathway 2024: #InclusiveAgriculture" Incubation Program celebrated its Demo Day in Ho Chi Minh City, marking the successful conclusion of the second pilot for #InclusiveBusiness (IB) accreditation in #Vietnam. Following the success of the first pilot in northern Viet Nam, the second pilot focused on the southern region and spanned three months of intensive activities including: ? Rigorous online and in-person training for selected businesses and business support organizations. ? Comprehensive coaching, including materials, roadmaps, and hands-on guidance. ? Field trips to supplement the trainings and #accreditation assessments. ? Completion of the IB accreditation process. Outcomes: ?? 5 companies accredited as IBs. ?? 6 businesses recognized as potential IBs. ?? 8 IB support organizations acknowledged as essential partners in fostering innovation and impact. At Demo Day, the founders of these impactful organizations shared their business models and inspiring stories, creating a platform for networking and collaboration. Attendees, including impact investors, experts, businesses, and support organizations, explored partnerships to drive #innovation and #sustainability for an inclusive #agriculturalsector in Viet Nam. This milestone was made possible through the collaboration of the Agency for Enterprise Development - Ministry of Planning and Investment, Vietnam, FTU Innovation and Incubation Space - Foreign Trade University, and United Nations ESCAP, with a shared vision of empowering businesses to create inclusive and #sustainablegrowth.

?? Growing Your Inclusive Agribusiness: A Toolkit for Businesses ???? Are you an agribusiness looking to secure your supply chains, enhance #sustainability, and tap into new market opportunities? United Nations ESCAP's ��?????????????? ???????? ?????????????????? ????????????????????????: ?? ?????????????? ?????? ????????????????????�� provides the tools you need to achieve these goals by building or refining #inclusivebusiness (IB) models that foster mutually beneficial partnerships with #smallholderfarmers. ?? ?????? ?????????? ?????????????????? ???????????????????????? ????????????? As global demand for food, feed, and biofuel surges��expected to rise nearly 50% by 2050��agribusinesses are presented with unique growth opportunities, particularly in developing countries. #InclusiveAgribusiness models help companies: ? Secure supply chains while enhancing the quality and quantity of supply. ? Reduce procurement costs and increase efficiency. ? Meet rising consumer and industry demands for sustainability, traceability, and food safety. ? Unlock new sales markets for services, inputs, and outputs. ?????????? ?????? ?????????????? ???????????? This practical guide provides actionable solutions and strategies for agribusinesses in the #agriculturesector to develop robust IB models. Key features include: ?? Solutions to address common challenges through collaboration at various levels. ?? Strategies to integrate smallholders into value chains and establish mutually beneficial partnerships. ?? Tools to refine IB models, define modes of engagement with smallholders, and measure impact effectively. ?? Lessons from real-world case studies and actionable insights. ?? ?????? ?????? ??????????????? The toolkit is designed for: ??#Agribusiness managers engaging in inclusive practices. ??Practitioners in development agencies, NGOs, and intermediaries supporting agribusiness. ?? Access the toolkit and grow your inclusive agribusiness: https://lnkd.in/ghutDxDm This guide was developed with the support of Christina Tewes-Gradl and Lara Sinha from Endeva, and is based on Deutsche Gesellschaft f��r Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH��s Growing Business with Smallholders report published in 2012.