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

Voices from ILO PROSPECTS

From volunteer to firefighter: Sara's journey of saving lives with Recognition of Prior Learning

An inspiring journey of Sara Waithera from Kenya, who has become certified professional firefighter through Recognition of Prior Learning policy introduced by the Government of Kenya with support from the ILO.

Voices from ILO PROSPECTS

From refugee to entrepreneur: ILO’s mentorship transforms Fatima’s small business

Fatima Khalif Abdi, a Somalian refugee in Ethiopia and mother of five, transformed her maize business with support from Business Plan Competition, expanding her offerings and setting ambitious goals for the future.

Financial inclusion for SMEs

Indonesian regional development and rural banks strengthen their financial support to SMEs

The ILO supports Indonesian regional development banks (BPD) and rural banks (BPR) in several provinces to provide SMEs a greater access to financial services.

Voices from ILO PROSPECTS

Transforming informal skills into formal opportunities: Theresa's journey of self-empowerment in Kenya

A self-taught entrepreneur highlights the importance of skill certification in Kenya's informal sector, empowering millions to eradicate poverty.

Promoting decent work

Ethiopian youth organizations equipped to tackle unemployment with ILO's Youth-to-Youth Fund

The ILO and Edukans Foundation trained ten Ethiopian youth-led organizations to implement employment projects, creating over 1,000 jobs. Supported by the ILO Youth-to-Youth Fund, the training focused on project management, financial management, and...

Digitalization and financial inclusion

Indonesian small enterprises transition to responsible digital wage payments

With the help of a responsible wage digitization training programme by the ILO and Apindo, Farid Hidayah and over 100 other small enterprise owners in Central and West Java are learning to navigate this transition, aiming to improve efficiency,...

PROSPECTS Impact

From self-taught to certified: Kenya's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) awards over 600 certificates

Kenya’s Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program formally certifies skills acquired by informal economy workers, providing new career opportunities and empowering workers with recognized qualifications for better job prospects.

Video

Enhancing OSH standards: Training farmers and agricultural workers in Lebanon's agricultural sector

Learn about ILO PROSPECTS initiative that aims to raise awareness of OSH in agriculture among farmers and agricultural workers to create decent working conditions and reduce risks in Lebanon.

ILO’s Opportunity Salone Programme Empowers Communication Officers

The International Labour Organization (ILO) Opportunity Salone project in Sierra Leone has trained communications officers of various institutions on writing skills and storytelling.

Enterprise development

Union leader ventures as entrepreneur to create jobs

A former union leader grows his shirt printing business, creates jobs and fosters responsible and safe workplaces.

Skills development

ILO supports establishment of Shared Service Facilities Centre (SSFC) to boost economic diversification and community empowerment of tea...

Stakeholders Discuss the National Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises development Policy for Iraq

The ILO, Ministry of Planning, and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS)/Italy held a joint conference to discuss the national MSMEs development policy for Iraq.

The ILO and Japan conclude project empowering Palestinian women and youth in agriculture

The project promotes inclusive markets and agricultural value chains that increase productivity and sustainable decent work opportunities for women and youth, particularly those with low incomes, in the Jordan Valley and Jericho.

ILO PROSPECTS Lebanon supports social enterprise initiatives in Lebanon

Our impact, their voices

Partnership and business training transforms lives of two Syrian Refugees in Egypt

Through the ILO’s Enterprise Development Programme, two Syrian refugees, Mohamed Khir Khaled Darwish and Mohamed Moataz Abd El Karim, found a new beginning and partnered to open a successful upholstery and curtain workshop, transforming their lives...

Africa Ascends: Two new countries make their debut on the IMD global competitiveness ranking

With the support of the Pan-African Productivity Association (PAPA) and ILO, Ghana and Nigeria join South Africa and Botswana on the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2024, enhancing Africa’s presence on the international stage.

Press release

New project to address child labour in the coffee industry launched by UN agencies and EU

The CLEAR Supply Chains Project seeks to address the root causes of child labour in coffee and cobalt supply chains. It is led by the ILO and jointly implemented with FAO, ITC and UNICEF, with funding from the European Union.

Women’s Entrepreneurship Development

The Women in Digital Business Initiative launches a global training for its latest lead trainer cohort

The online training is a crucial first in scaling-up efforts to empower women entrepreneurs to seize productive opportunities in the digital economy.

Photo Essay – Empowering Lebanon's youth

Creating a Literary Haven: The Inspiring Story of Hadi Yahya's Bookstore

Social entrepreneurs in Lebanon successfully grew their businesses through EMDAD, an ILO PROSPECTS-led initiative that offered financial support, personalized coaching, technical training, and networking opportunities, boosting their community and...

Podcast

Want to be an entrepreneur? How to do it right

Running your own business is a dream for many people. It can be a route to independence as well as a way out of poverty – particularly when formal jobs are scarce. The ILO programme SIYB, or Start and Improve your Business, is designed to help...