Publication database

Conexsus supports small farmers associations and cooperatives that work under a income-generating model that preserves standing forest and other biomes. It focuses on three lines of action: business model, market access, and impact finance.

Fomento Social Banamex is the philanthropic arm of Citibanamex Mexico, and its goal is to reduce inequality in Mexico. It promotes capacity-building for social organizations to better meet the needs of marginalized communities living in poverty. Under this scheme and through its strategic partners, it has supported Unión Majomut, a cooperative of coffee farmers from Chiapas, so that it partakes in the entire value chain and earns a higher income for partner families.

Argidius Foundation supports small and mediumsized enterprises to improve the quality of life of the population living in poverty by promoting entrepreneurship ecosystems that involve strategic partners. To this end, Argidius has supported Thriive (in Guatemala), an organization that provides institutional strengthening and equipment acquisition services to small and medium-sized enterprises, under a “repay the community” model.

This publication shows how Japanese retailer MUJI has built an inclusive supply chain positively impacting on small producers at the base of the pyramid (BOP), and how its stakeholders perceive its benefits. The report reflects direct feedback gathered during interviews and surveys conducted by IFC with different stakeholders in MUJI's supply chain, including producers, customers, employees, and management. The report highlights key challenges and opportunities that stem from engagement with the BOP producers in emerging markets. It also provides insights into good practice in incorporating the BOP producers into global value chains, drawing on MUJI’s experiences.

This article comes up with six recommendations and examples how Unilever reaches rural consumer segments in emerging markets.

This publication describes the evolution of the South African agribusiness Reel Gardening.

In Tanzania there are huge opportunities for ambitious energy access investments to increase rural productivity, including milling, irrigation and small and microenterprises. This paper examines the experiences of two mini-hydro projects and a solar-diesel mini-grid project in Tanzania. All three projects are exploring ways to combine energy with wider rural development processes. The paper investigates what interventions work, and offers recommendations for new entrants, policymakers and funders.

This booklet tells the story of how IKEA has been tackling the sustainability and labour challenges in its cotton supply chain, through the creation of a new platform- The Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).

In 2014, Echoing Green, a non-profit irganisation, piloted an impact investing “inflection cohort” of ten alumni of their Fellowship programme, each leading for-profit and hybrid social enterprises. This white paper looks at the inflection cohort pilot’s performance in supporting emerging social entrepreneurs.