Publication database

This case study showcases Japanese lifestyle brand MUJI, which joined the Business Call to Action with the commitment to develop the capacity of at least 500 low-income artisans in Cambodia, Kenya and Kyrgyzstan; focusing on women from post-conflict and transitional societies. It outlines how the business model works, the business and development impacts to date, and the key success factors.

As the microinsurance industry grows there is an increasing need to scale up insurance education efforts and educate a wider audience. Audio-visual media is an attractive dissemination channel to achieve this because it is strongly anchored in the lifestyle of low-income people in developing countries. Briefing Note #18 explores the stages of such campaigns and presents lessons learnt.

Despite the fact that national health insurance has been available in Ghana since 2003, the coverage is far from universal. Research Paper #23 evaluates a consumer education intervention for microfinance clients by Freedom from Hunger and Sinapi Aba Trust designed to increase awareness, knowledge and eventually take-up rates of the National Health Insurance Scheme. Results suggest that the lack of knowledge may not the most important barrier to enrolment: while health insurance education appeared to increase knowledge of health insurance among those who received it, there were no significant differences in enrolment rates between the treatment groups and control group. Rather, it appears that convenience of registration and timing of premium payments were more common challenges faced by these individuals. 

As the microinsurance industry grows there is an increasing need to scale up insurance education efforts and educate a wider audience. Audio-visual media is an attractive dissemination channel to achieve this because it is strongly anchored in the lifestyle of low-income people in developing countries. Microinsurance Paper #21 explores the stages of such campaigns and presents lessons learnt.

This report defines challenge funds and the important factors to consider when designing them. It also looks at the challenges and risks associated with challenge funds and gives very good examples of successful challenge funds that have had a meaningful impact around the world.

This report draws on a qualitative study of youth microfranchising in the Tanzanian computer sales, service, and training sector, and identifies the challenges and advantages of a team-based approach to owning and operating a microfranchise business in the context of a developing country.

This study maps the emerging landscape of education impact investing, with a view to identify potential areas for intervention by impact investors. It describes the characteristics of impact investment, including sources of capital, investor profiles and preferences, and areas of investment. Its focus is on investments that broaden access to quality education, especially for the most vulnerable populations.

This study assesses the range of options available to secure long-term financial viability and achieve scale for Gyan Shale (GS) an education intervention that provides low-cost education to low-income families in urban settlements through a network of mostly single-room centres that serve as classrooms for students from local neighbourhoods. It examines the business model, its plans for future growth and the business viability of its growth plan.

This report examines how the technical vocational education and training (TVET) system works in Vietnam; what the main challenges of the system are; and how the private sector could be engaged in order to address these challenges. The purpose of the research is to provide background information on the main TVET providers in the central Mekong Delta as a basis and rationale for selecting the focus of the second stage of the project.

Stories of Change is Ashoka’s electronic book series profiling stories of the "changemakers in the Ashoka community", Fellows, Youth Venturers, staff and partners. This report presents 16 projects from across the globe aimint to improve maternal health.