Local Economic Development and Supply Chains

This report explores four key strategies companies can use to expand economic opportunity: 1) creating inclusive business models; 2) developing human capital; 3) building institutional capacity; and 4) helping to optimize the "Rules of the Game."

This report explores four key strategies companies can us to expand economic opportunity: 1) creating inclusive business models; 2) developing human capital; 3) building institutional capacity; and 4) helping to optimize the "Rules of the Game."

The new publication, Business Linkages: Lessons, Opportunities, and Challenges, is an example of IFC's ongoing commitment to sharing knowledge and good practices, and to partnering with key global players to address challenges and identify opportunities for linkages in developing countries.

A project of the International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank Group, the SME Toolkit offers free business management information and training for small businesses / small and medium enterprises (SMEs) on accounting and finance, business planning, human resources (HR), marketing and sales, operations, and information technology (IT).

The guide provides tools for companies to create their own code of conduct and rating system for suppliers, suggestions as to how they can improve their internal logistics towards a more sustainable model and a strategy for incorporating sustainability into product and service design.

This report applies some basic business questions to Sustainable Livelihoods business projects. It shows how leading companies are answering them and innovating to overcome the barriers to doing business in this new territory.

“Engaging SMEs in Community & Social Issues” is a consortium research study on behalf of the DTI, led by Business in the Community, with British Chambers of Commerce, the Institute of Directors and AccountAbility (the Institute of Social and Ethical Accountability). This research aims to better understand, with a view to increasing, the engagement of SMEs in responsible business practice.

This guide focuses on how to source funding for a sustainable livelihoods business. It aims to provide a blueprint for action. It will help managers decide when to raise capital in-house and when to seek external funds. It explores public – private partnerships, how to raise capital for local operational partners, and why securing this funding may be core to the company’s success.

A general paper about Local Economic Development (LED) and mining and the development of micro, small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) as an important component of an LED program. In addition a toolkit on LED strategy has been prepared by the world bank group oil gas mining and chemicals department can be accessed here. A local economic development strategic planing process typically has five processes: 1. Organizing the effort 2. Doing the local economy assessment 3. Creating the LED strategy 4. Implementing the LED strategy 5. Reviewing the LED strategy. These processes are covered in this toolkit.