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

Harnessing digitalization and technology for women’s entrepreneurship development

An overview of the ILO Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme’s priority area on digitalization and technology in line with its 2025–2030 strategic plan.

Advancing women’s entrepreneurship and gender equality in a just transition for climate action

An overview of the ILO Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme’s priority area on just transition in line with its 2025–2030 strategic plan.

WSSD2 Brief

Accelerating the transition to formality for decent work and social justice

This brief explores the widespread challenge of informality in the world of work and its impact on rights, productivity, and social justice. It highlights the need for integrated strategies and strong partnerships to support a sustainable transition...

The ILO Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme: Direction for 2025–2030

This publication outlines the ILO-WED programme’s vision and priorities for 2025–2030. It presents a transformative approach to promoting women’s entrepreneurship as a pathway to advancing gender equality and women’s empowerment for decent work and...

Empowering women entrepreneurs through and within the care economy

An overview of the ILO Women’s Entrepreneurship Development Programme’s priority area on care in line with its 2025–2030 strategic plan.

Financial education for micro, small and informal businesses in the Solomon Islands – Trainee’s booklet

This trainee's booklet on financial education targets primarily micro, small and informal business owners of the Solomon Islands who wish to improve their digital money management. The booklet introduces basic knowledge, skills and tools related to...

Trade for Jobs Uganda

Destination: Pearl of Africa - A market systems analysis with a focus on trade and employment

This market systems analysis (MSA) of Uganda’s tourism sector aims to identify key constraints and opportunities for growth, with a focus on enhancing the livelihoods of local communities and workers in the tourism value chain.

ILO Working Paper 144

Global case studies of social dialogue on AI and algorithmic management

This working paper explores how social dialogue is shaping the use of AI and algorithmic tools in workplaces across five continents. Through case studies, it highlights how worker representatives are influencing AI-related decisions in areas like...

Report

Promoting public procurement for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises’ growth and transition to formality: Lessons learned from Chile...

This report aims to highlight the potential of public procurement in the promotion of growth and transition to formality for MSMEs and discusses the challenges that small economic units face as they seek access to the public procurement market.

Traction through action: An antidote to paralysis by analysis?

The what, why and how of action research

Adapt-Mitigate-Thrive (AMT) Diagnostic for Serbia’s e-waste sector

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Serbia’s e-waste sector, analyzing key processes and stakeholders, and offers targeted policy recommendations to support a just transition for MSMEs and their workers — anchored in the principles of...

Formalization of micro and small enterprises and their employees: Experiences from Cabo Verde

This document is part of a series of case studies by the ENTERPRISES Department of the ILO. Each case study presents one or several approaches that contribute to enterprise formalization across the world. The case studies provide a snapshot on a...

Formalization of micro and small enterprises and their workers: Experiences from Senegal

This document is part of a series of case studies by the ENTERPRISES Department of the ILO. Each case study presents one or several approaches that contribute to enterprise formalization across the world. The case studies provide a snapshot on a...

Formalization of micro and small enterprises and their employees: Experiences from Nepal

This document is part of a series of case studies by the ENTERPRISES Department of the ILO. Each case study presents one or several approaches that contribute to enterprise formalization across the world. The case studies provide a snapshot on a...

ILO brief

Navigating environmental policy change: Lessons from Kenya’s plastic bag ban for a just transition of MSMEs

As governments worldwide advance ambitious environmental and climate agendas, MSMEs are under growing pressure to adapt to new regulations—often without adequate resources or support. Kenya’s 2017 plastic bag ban offers valuable lessons on the...

Project results

Promoting productivity and decent work in South Africa’s clothing manufacturing industry

In response to the prevailing challenges facing South Africa’s clothing manufacturing industry, the Flanders-funded ILO project aimed to strengthen productivity, and decent work drivers through a systemic approach. This brief summarizes key results...

Report

Innovative Approaches Taken by Workers’ Organizations to Drive Formalization

The report showcases concrete actions taken by trade unions to organize, represent, and provide meaningful services to workers in the informal economy while preventing the informalization of those in the formal economy. It highlights how trade...

Trade for Jobs Uganda

Finding the milky way: A market systems analysis with a focus on trade and employment

ILC.113/Report VI

Innovative approaches to addressing informality and promoting the transition to formality for decent work

Assessment of drivers and constraints to occupational safety and health improvement in the sugar cane supply chain in Colombia

This ILO study analyzes the factors that promote and hinder occupational safety and health across every link of the sugarcane supply chain in Colombia and proposes intervention models to strengthen it.