EESE Report

A comparative analysis from the EESE programme in Zambia, Honduras, Montenegro, Sierra Leone and Mozambique: key findings and lessons learned

The five case studies look back on the EESE process in specific countries to document how the assessment was conducted, which stakeholders were involved, what recommendations and action plans were issued as a result of the assessment, and how these were taken up by local partners to lead to reforms and, ultimately, improved enabling environment, enterprise development and job creation. These five case studies are input into the preparation of the present comparative study which aims at collecting the key findings from the country-level case studies and identifying common lessons learned and success factors, which should provide evidence for revision of the programme. The main research questions addressed by this report are: can EESE methodology drive change in a sustainable way, what are the key success factors, what are the main opportunities for programme to grow and evolve.

Since 2007, the ILO has collaborated with the tripartite stakeholders in more than 60 countries in building their capacity to develop an enabling environment for sustainable enterprises. The ILO’s EESE toolkit is designed to improve the environment for sustainable enterprises. The toolkit provides a methodology which is used to assess and reform the business environment. It helps stakeholders to identify major barriers to business development, fosters dialogue, supports the adoption of reforms and unlocks entrepreneurial potential. Considering the long-standing duration of the programme and its broad geographical scope, in 2020 the EESE team in the ILO’s SMEs Unit has started a revision of its methodologies and features, in view of updating the programme to fit the current needs of enterprises. This process should lead to improving and innovating the EESE programme in order to maximise the future impact. As part of this process, the EESE team has launched five case studies that look back on the EESE process in specific countries to document how the assessment was conducted, which stakeholders were involved, what recommendations and action plans were issued as a result of the assessment, and how these were taken up by local partners to lead to reforms and, ultimately, improved enabling environment, enterprise development and job creation.
The main research questions addressed by this report are: can EESE methodology drive change in a sustainable way, what are the key success factors, what are the main opportunities for programme to grow and evolve. The study also looks at the opportunities to innovate the programme to include some important developmental and environmental elements such as the green economy and jobs, also related to the SDGs.