The 15 most popular downloads of publications produced by the DCED and its Working Groups on www.enterprise-development.org in 2025 are listed below (most popular first).
1. The DCED Standard for Measuring Results in Private Sector Development (2017)
Covers the detailed Control Points and Compliance Criteria of the Standard – primarily intended for programmes that are using the Standard in their management processes. It also covers scoring and definitions. Introductory materials and guidance are better places to start, for those who are curious. En français. En español.
2. One-page summary of the DCED Standard for Results Measurement (2019)
Summarises what the Standard consists of, and what the benefits of using it are. En français. En español.
3. Synthesis Note on Private Sector Development (2025)
Provides an overview of the generally-accepted categories within the field of Private Sector Development, with links to the relevant parts of the DCED website for further information. En français. En español.
4. DCED Reader on Results Measurement (2018)
Provides a 25-page overview of what the Standard is, case studies on use of the Standard, and practical ways to get involved. En français. En español.
5. Synthesis Note on Private Sector Engagement (2022)
Introduces PSE as a new way of operating to achieve the SDGs; also offers a summary of key issues for staff already implementing PSE strategies or working to professionalise their agencies’ PSE approach. En français. En español.
6. Gender Responsive Nature-based Solutions Toolkit (2025)
Provides a framework and practical guidance for integrating gender-responsive strategies into the planning, implementation, and management of nature-based solutions – those development programmes aiming to protect, sustainably manage, and restore natural ecosystems that address societal challenges effectively and adaptively, simultaneously providing human well-being and biodiversity benefit.
7. Synthesis Note on Agency PSD Strategies: State of the art (2025)
4-pager on trends and priorities in donor strategies.
8. Guidelines to the DCED Standard for Results Measurement: Articulating the results chain (2017)
Explains what results chains are, how to articulate them, and how to use them. It also explains the requirements of the DCED Standard in this area. (En français. En español.)
9. Synthesis Note on Women’s Economic Empowerment (2024)
Defines women’s economic empowerment and outlines its constraints and opportunities.
10. Business Development Services for Small Enterprises: Guiding principles for donor intervention (2001)
Apparently a timeless classic, this sets out the early thinking that led to the approach of Market Systems Development (MSD, also historically called M4P); it was based on case material gleaned through a series of five conferences, organised by the DCED over two years. Controversial when it first came out. En français. En español.
11. Synthesis Note on Industrial Policy (2021)
Defines Industrial Policy and outlines key debates, such as over which sectors industrial policy should target to achieve development aims. En français. En español.
12. Implications of New Environmental Regulations (2025)
Examines the evolving global landscape of environmental legislation and its implications for developing economies, including SMEs, focusing on key European Union directives. Policy brief also available.
13. Audit Pass Note 1: Articulating the results chain (2021)
2-pager setting out how to maximise scores in a DCED audit of a programmes results measurement system, relating to control point 1.
14. Business Environment Reforms to Improve Economic Resilience to Global Shocks (2025)
Examines how emerging economies can respond to acute exogenous economic shocks through business environment reforms, focussing on MSMEs and with case studies from Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia and Malaysia. Policy brief also available.
15. Guidelines to the DCED Standard for Results Measurement: Defining indicators (2018)
Explains what indicators are, how to choose them, and gives examples; it also touches on qualitative and proxy indicators, how to use them, and links to other resources.