Small Enterprise Programme

Enabling environment for sustainable enterprises and employment

The Enabling Environment work addresses the policy, legal and regulatory issues that influence the conditions for the establishment and growth of Small and Medium Enterprises and the promotion of decent and productive work. This is done through research, capacity building and technical advice, together with the application of specialized products (e.g. toolkits), the delivery of training and other support to ILO constituents, practitioners and policy makers.

Entrepreneurship and business development

The focus of the ILO’s work in this area is to assist member States and their social partners, promote entrepreneurship, develop businesses and reflect diversity of enterprises, therefore creating jobs and reducing poverty.

• Women's Entrepreneurship Development (WED) and Youth Entrepreneurship
• Entrepreneurship Education and Training (Know about Business and Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB))
• Value Chain Development (VCD)

Sustainable and responsible workplaces

The Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme integrates responses to the global economic and jobs crisis and the calls for improving productivity in Small and Medium Enterprises in developing countries, based on labour standards, workplace cooperation and progressive management practices. The programme works to ensure that Small and Medium Enterprises are more sustainable through being cleaner, more productive and competitive, and provide more sustainable and decent employment.