All news: microenterprises + small enterprises + informal enterprises + value chains

World Forum for Local Economic Development

Local economic development fuels the transition to formality

Local economic development plays a vital role in transitioning businesses and workers from informality to formality by fostering job creation, improving infrastructure, simplifying regulations, and expanding access to finance and markets.

Impact story

Sweet success: How ILO training supported an enterprise to grow

Yollanda Mambeu's pastry shop, Yoyo’s Yummy Cakes and Baking Supplies, has become a household name in Mutare, Zimbabwe. Since opening her first shop in the high-density suburb of Dangamvura after COVID, her business has seen phenomenal growth

Women’s entrepreneurship development opens pathways for decent work for circular migrant workers in Morocco

ILO WAFIRA project’s closing ceremony in Rabat brought together women entrepreneurs and partners to celebrate economic empowerment of rural migrant women. With a successful first phase, plans are underway to expand the project’s approach across...

Empowering communities: ILO GET Ahead strengthens livelihoods in tea & coffee value chains in Nanyuki, Kenya

ILO’s ACCEL Africa project trains 25 GET Ahead trainers in Kenya’s Meru and Nyeri counties to empower women and youth with entrepreneurship skills, reduce child labour in tea and coffee sectors, and promote sustainable livelihoods.

Green impact: Environmentally focused value chain Project in Suriname concludes

The Project addressed the critical areas of promoting a just transition and tackling informality in Suriname's economy.

Productivity ecosystems for decent work

Women breaking barriers: Nhung rises as consultant in male-dominated manufacturing

Ghana launches its first National Productivity Statistics report: A milestone for economic growth and policy dialogue

News

Paving the path: towards a responsible and sustainable electronics value chain in Asia

Electronics Industry and Trade Union Leaders Unite for Cross-Country Dialogue on Responsible Business and Decent Work in Asia.

Agri-businesses ecosystem

Advancing agri-businesses through improved and inclusive entrepreneurship ecosystems in the Sidama Region of Ethiopia

Key actors in Ethiopia’s agri-entrepreneurship sector gathered in Hawassa to validate a study on ecosystem challenges. The study identified major barriers in market access and financing for small agri-businesses in Sidama. Stakeholders discussed...

Building Entrepreneurial Skills to Support MSMEs and Job Creation in Iraq

The International Labour Organization (ILO) is strengthening the entrepreneurial ecosystem in Iraq by providing training to support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). Through the "Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB)" program,...

Digital inclusion

ILO and partners bring industry-recognized digital skills certifications for Kenya’s youth

Bridging the gap between training and employment, Kenya’s first Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for digital skills graduates received industry-recognized certifications with support from the ILO PROSPECTS Partnership.

From catch to plate: Strengthening Namibia’s fisheries supply chain

Enterprise development

New programme to close digital gap for 15,000 small businesses

The United Nations in the Philippines launched a new joint programme to bridge the digital divide and boost the competitiveness of enterprises through improved connectivity and support from UN agencies, including the ILO and government partners.

Press release

ILO boosts facilitation and communication skills to expand social security coverage across Jordan

Part of a multi-donor project, the initiative aims to improve social security awareness and engagement across Jordan’'s diverse and most vulnerable communities.

New initiative launched to promote responsible business conduct and decent work in Lao People's Democratic Republic

ILO and Japan collaborate to strengthen decent work and responsible business practices in Lao People's Democratic Republic, driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

Start and Improve Your Business - Success Stories 2024

Homegrown idea turned business success in the organic food sector

Reshma Akhter from Bagerhat, Bangladesh, founded Tahsin Food Industry, producing locally made apple cider vinegar. With ILO’s entrepreneurship training, she gained business skills, expanded nationwide, and now employs over 60 workers, bringing...

Empowering small and micro-enterprises

How a poultry farm became a successful business

The ILO’s Improve Your Business (IYB) training enabled Tinsaye Kifle to expand her small poultry farm in Ethiopia. By learning new strategies for egg production, day-old chick sales, and better business management, she diversified his income and...

Start and Improve Your Business - Success Stories 2024

A young Azerbaijani turns an inherited land into an agrotourism centre

Togrul Huseynli, a history graduate from Goygol, Azerbaijan, turned his family land into Sevgi Kampı, an agrotourism site. With Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) training, he gained business skills to offer visitors a peaceful nature escape...

Start and Improve Your Business - Success Stories 2024

A woman’s journey in leather craftsmanship

Violet Mhute, owner of Soko Genuine Leather in Zimbabwe, shifted from exporting hides to manufacturing leather goods. With Expand Your Business (EYB) training, she scaled her business beyond Zimbabwe and now seeks to empower other women.

Start and Improve Your Business - Success Stories 2024

A trainer journey of resilience and empowerment in Afghanistan

After facing an uncertain future in Afghanistan, Sahar Taj rebuilt her life through the Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) programme. Now a business coach, she empowers Afghan women to become entrepreneurs, equipping them with skills and...