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# DCED

## Sitemaps

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## Posts

- [Care as Climate Infrastructure: Strengthening Climate-Resilient and Inclusive Private Sector Development for Women-led MSMEs](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Care-as-Climate-Infrastructure-Report-July-2026.pdf) - Technical report 2026
- [From Silos to Synergy:  Advancing Agri-Food MSMEs with a Whole-of-Government Approach](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-Report-WoG-Approaches-Agri-MSMEs-MAY26.pdf) - Technical report 2026
- [Narrowing the Gap: Business Environment Reform and Private Capital Mobilisation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Policy-Note_-Narrowing-the-gap-2026.pdf) - Policy brief 2026
- [A Practical Guide to Measuring Women’s and Girls’ Empowerment in Impact Evaluations - JPAL (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/a-practical-guide-to-measuring-womens-and-girls-empowerment-in-impact-evaluations/) - >>> Read the full resource 2018, JPAL – 52 pages This practical guide can help provide researchers and practitioners with the tools to select or develop their own indicators of empowerment that are right for their impact evaluations. It emphasises the importance of conducting in-depth formative research to understand gender dynamics in the specific
- [Moving Toward Gender Balance in Private Equity and Venture Capital - IFC (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/moving-toward-gender-balance-in-private-equity-and-venture-capital-ifc-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource IFC, 2019 - 137 pages Our research examines gender balance—defined as leadership teams with at least 30% of men and women—in private equity and venture capital funds and the companies they invest in within emerging markets. We explore the relationship between gender balance and fund performance, and the roles
- [Guidance for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Monitoring and Mitigation within Non-GBV Focused Sectoral Programming - Care (2014)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/guidance-for-gender-based-violence-gbv-monitoring-and-mitigation-within-non-gbv-focused-sectoral-programming-care-2014/) - >>> Read the full resource Care, 2014 – 32 pages This document aims to address the increasing demand for clear guidance on how to practically and ethically monitor and mitigate GBV within non-emergency, international development programming, in which GBV is not a specific programmatic component. Specifically, it provides recommendations for preventing and/or responding to
- [Toolkit for Integrating Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response into Economic Growth Projects - USAID (2014)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/usaid_gbv_ei_toolkit.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource USAID, 2014 – 82 pages This practical toolkit describes and explains linkages between WEE and GBV. It offers background and practical guidance on how to address GBV in economic growth and trade projects across the programme cycle. The toolkit covers four overarching themes: How and why economic growth projects
- [How Do Intra-household Dynamics Change When Assets Are Transferred to Women? Evidence from BRAC’s “Targeting the Ultra Poor” Programme in Bangladesh - IFPRI & ILRI (2013)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/how-do-intra-household-dynamics-change-when-assets-are-transferred-to-women-evidence-from-bracs-targeting-the-ultra-poor-programme-in-bangladesh-ifpri-ilri-2013/) - >>> Read the full resource IFPRI and ILRI, 2013 – 4 pages This study aimed to explore how BRAC’s “Targeting the Ultra Poor” programme affected intra-household dynamics in beneficiary households. It investigates men’s and women’s ownership of and control over various assets and roles in intra-household decision-making. It also aimed to understand men’s and
- [Women's Empowerment and Socio-Economic Outcomes: Impacts of the Andhra Pradesh Rural Poverty Reduction Programme - WB (2014)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-empowerment-and-socio-economic-outcomes-impacts-of-the-andhra-pradesh-rural-poverty-reduction-programme-wb-2014/) - >>> Read the full resource The World Bank, 2014 – 33 pages The paper explores whether one of the largest programmes in the world for women’s empowerment and rural livelihoods, the Indira Kranti Patham in Andhra Pradesh, India, has had an impact on the economic and social wellbeing of households that participated in the
- [Growing Micro-Enterprises: How gender and family can impact outcomes - evidence from Uganda - ILO (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/growing-micro-enterprises-how-gender-and-family-can-impact-outcomes-evidence-from-uganda-ilo-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource ILO, 2017 – 5 pages The study was designed to test whether expanding access to capital via grants or loans would increase the profits of micro-enterprises owned by men or women and whether the ILO’s entrepreneurship training “Start and Improve Your Business” (SIYB) could further increase impacts. The gender
- [Summarizing the Key Characteristics, Enabling Environment and Needs of Women-Owned Businesses - MEDA (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/summarizing-the-key-characteristics-enabling-environment-and-needs-of-women-owned-businesses-meda-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource MEDA, 2020 – 24 pages This report outlines the key characteristics, influencing the environment, and needs of Women-Owned Businesses (WBEs) to support investors and business service providers in Africa to adopt a gender lens within their current practices and policies. This paper starts with a review summarizing the characteristics
- [Understanding Unpaid Care Work to Empower Women in Market Systems Approaches - BEAM (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/understanding-unpaid-care-work-to-empower-women-in-market-systems-approaches-beam-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource BEAM Exchange, 2016 – 51 pages This document is intended to support market systems programmes to understand and address unpaid care work by: guiding practitioners on approaches to diagnose constraints related to unpaid care. providing tools to carry these out. outlining with real examples how programmes have designed interventions
- [Women's Empowerment and Market Systems (WEAMS) Framework - BEAM (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-empowerment-and-market-systems-weams-framework-beam-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource BEAM Exchange, 2016 – 49 pages This report details the challenges for donor agencies to design and implement gender-transformative programmes. It is both an update of the Making Markets Work for the Poor WEE Framework (the M4P WEE Framework) for those who utilised the earlier resource, and a standalone
- [Developing Gender-Sensitive Value Chains: A guiding framework - FAO (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/developing-gender-sensitive-value-chains-a-guiding-framework-fao-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource FAO, 2016 – 52 pages The purpose of this publication is to introduce the Gender-Sensitive Value Chain (GSVC) framework, which facilitates the systematic integration of gender equality dimensions into value chain development programmes and projects. In addition to accounting for the levels of analysis presented in the Sustainable Food
- [Revisiting What Works: Women, Economic Empowerment and Smart Design - CGD (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/revisiting-what-works-women-economic-empowerment-and-smart-design-cgd-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource Centre for Global Development, 2016 – 68 pages Evidence-based overview of different strategies to achieve WEE. This report was developed to help guide private sector actions and investments to empower women economically. It reviewed the effectiveness of actions that have direct, near term impacts on women’s economic outcomes. It
- [USAID’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (2020)](https://www.interaction.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Draft_USAID_2020_Gender_Equality_and_Womens_Empowerment_Policy_-_External_Review_8.19.2020_.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource USAID, 2020 – 56 pages The goal of USAID’s gender equality and women’s empowerment policy is to improve the lives of people around the world by advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls to participate fully in, and equally benefit from, the development of their societies on the same
- [Market Systems Analysis: A practical toolkit for a ‘good enough’ approach](https://beamexchange.org/resources/tools/1995/) - Toolkit 2025
- [Demonstrating additionality in working with the private sector](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DemonstratingAdditionality_OnePageSummaryFeb26.pdf) - Summary
- [Evidence and debates on employment creation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Employment_Creation_Synthesis_Note.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [Donor Partnerships with Business for Private Sector Development: What can we learn from experience?](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCEDWorkingPaper_PartnershipsforPSDLearningFromExperience_26Mar2013.pdf) - Working paper
- [Measuring Results of Private Sector Development in Conflict-Affected Environments: Somalia](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/SEEDCaseStudyFinal_2August2013.pdf) - Case study
- [Measuring Results of Private Sector Development in Conflict-Affected Environments: Sierra Leone](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/SierraLeoneCaseStudyFinal_2August2013.pdf) - Case study
- [Measuring Change in Women Entrepreneurs’ Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Measuring_Change_in_Women_Entrepreneurs_Economic_Empowerment.pdf) - Literature review
- [Practical Guidelines for Measuring Results in Challenge Funds](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Practical_Guidelines_Measuring_Results_in_Challenge_Funds6Oct2013.pdf) - Guidelines
- [Demonstrating Additionality in Private Sector Development Initiatives](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Demonstrating-Additionality_final.pdf) - Technical paper
- [Guidelines for Measuring Women’s Economic Empowerment in Private Sector Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Measuring_Womens_Economic_Empowerment_Guidance.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource 2014, DCED – 60 pages These guidelines provide suggestions on the measurement of WEE in private sector development (PSD) programmes, including the measurement of household results. The publication aims to: Provide practical advice to practitioners seeking to measure WEE in PSD programming; Document how to make each aspect of
- [Measuring Results in Women's Economic Development in PSD](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-the-dced-standard/measuring_womens_economic_empowerment_guidance/) - DCED Guidelines
- [Measuring Achievements in PSD in Conflict-Affected Environments](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Practical_Guidelines_Measuring_PSD_in_CAEs_Version3_June2015.pdf) - Guidelines
- [Matching Grant Schemes & Systemic Approaches for Private Sector Development: Differences & Complementarities](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Synthesis_Note_Matching_grant_schemes_systemic_approaches_Jul15.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [How to put Gender and WEE into practice in M4P](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-WEE-into-Practice-2016.pdf) - Guidelines
- [Does business structure influence social impact?](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Does-business-structure-influence-social-impact-OxfamDCED-Briefing-Note.pdf) - Briefing note
- [Engaging with the private sector through multi-stakeholder platforms](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Platforms-Review.pdf) - Review
- [How donors can make the transition to strategic private sector engagement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Making_the_Transition_to_Strategic_Pivate_Sector_Engagement.pdf) - Briefing note
- [Private sector partnerships to promote economic development - An overview of donor funds and facilities](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_PPP_SynthesisNote.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [How to Integrate Gender & Women’s Economic Empowerment into Private Sector Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-WEEWG-How-to-integrate-gender-into-PSD-programmes.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource 2017, DCED – 45 pages This paper seeks to provide Private Sector Development programmes aspiring to 'do more on WEE' but struggling to know where to start, 'step up' the gender-responsiveness of their programme by providing: Concise, practical guidance on how to incorporate WEE into programme delivery and Monitoring
- [The search for synergy: Business Environment Reform and Green Growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/GGWG_BERGuide_Final.pdf) - Practical guide
- [Attribution in Results Measurement: Rationale and Hurdles for Impact Investors](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Report-on-Attribution-in-Results-Measurement-for-Impact-Investors.pdf) - Report
- [Impact investing: Measurement valued by investee businesses](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-RM-investee-measurement-report.pdf) - Technical paper
- [Results Measurement in Impact Investing: A preliminary review](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-RM-in-Impact-Investing-Review-Brief.pdf) - Review
- [Results Measurement in Impact Investing](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-RM-in-Impact-Investing-Review-Brief.pdf) - Preliminary review
- [How to create an enabling environment for inclusive business? Lessons from private sector development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Summary_Creating-an-enabling-environment-for-inclusive-business.pdf) - Summary
- [Towards strategic private sector engagement: A summary of innovations and institutional change in donor agencies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Strategic-private-sector-engagement-summary-of-DCED-briefing-note.pdf) - Summary
- [Preferential Public Procurement for Small and Medium Enterprises](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG_Policy-Brief_Public-Procurement.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Business Environment Reform and Labour Productivity](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG_Policy-Brief_Labour-productivity.pdf) - Policy brief
- [The 2018 Reader on Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Reader_RM.pdf) - Reader
- [Minimizing the Risk of Negative Market Distortions in Private Sector Engagement: A practical framework](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Minimising-the-Risk-of-Market-Distortions-in-PSE_Practical-Framework.pdf) - Framework
- [On the Move - Women’s Economic Empowerment in Contexts of Migration and Forced Displacement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/WEEWG-WEE-Migration-FD-Scoping-Study.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED – 74 pages Growing international and internal migrations and forced displacements have special implications for the possibility of WEE, and associated improvements in gender equality and women’s rights. This scoping study focuses on: documenting the state of practice of WEE in the context of migration and forced
- [Supporting Green Growth in Fragile and Conflict-affected Settings](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/GG-Fragile-Contexts-Technopolis.pdf) - Scoping study
- [Donor Engagement in Innovative Finance: Opportunities and obstacles](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Document-summary-Innovative-Finance.pdf) - Summary
- [Using Impact Management Project’s 5 Dimensions of Impact with the DCED Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/RM-Brief-IMP-Standard.pdf) - Guidelines
- [A categorisation of private sector engagement strategies and comparison with other approaches](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Operational-framework-for-the-DCED-Private-Sector-Engagement-Working-Group-for-web.pdf) - Operational framework
- [The DCED Standard and GIIN’s IRIS+ and Navigating Impact Project](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/RM-Brief-Standard-GIIN-NIP.pdf) - Technical note
- [Donor Engagement in Innovative Finance: Opportunities and obstacles](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCEDWorkingPaper_DonorEngagementinInnovativeFinance.pdf) - Working paper
- [Creating Better Business Environments for Micro and Small Enterprises](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Policy-Brief-BEWG-BER-MSEs-February-2019.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Synergies between the DCED Standard and Corporate Sustainability Reporting](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/RM-Brief-Standard-CSR.pdf) - Technical note
- [Gender-Responsive Green Growth Guidance Sheets](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/green-growth/#GG2) - Guidance sheets
- [A Summary on Gender-Responsive Green Growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Guidance-Sheet-Gender-responsive-green-growth-one-pager.pdf) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 1 page The DCED developed a series of guidance sheets to support practitioners to integrate gender into green growth programming. Analysing existing green growth and gender programmes have informed the following key recommendations for practitioners including: Provide technical advice to partners to ensure the development and
- [Use of New Technologies in Regulatory Delivery](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Use-of-New-Technologies-in-Regulatory-Delivery.pdf) - Summary note and case studies
- [Use of New Technologies in Regulatory Delivery - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Use-of-New-Technologies-in-Regulatory-Delivery-Policy-Brief_April-2020.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Promoting Economic Transformation through Business Environment Reform and Market Systems Development - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-MSDWG-Promoting-Economic-Transformation-Policy-Brief_April-2020.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Promoting Economic Transformation through Business Environment Reform and Market Systems Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Study-Report-Promoting-ET-Through-BER.pdf) - Technical report
- [Using PSD to achieve a Green Recovery in the context of the COVID-19 Pandemic](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Using-PSD-to-achieve-a-green-recovery-in-the-context-of-the-COVID-19-pandemic-May-2020.pdf) - Guidance paper, May 2020
- [Business Environment Reform in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-FCAS-Discussion-Paper-2020.pdf) - Discussion Paper, October 2020
- [Circular Economy for Donors](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/CE-Synthesis-Note-Feb-2021.pdf) - DCED Synthesis Note, February 2021
- [BER and COVID-19 Policy Brief 2](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BER-Covid-Policy-Brief-2-Business-regulation-Recovery-final-26APR21.pdf) - Lessons Learned on the Role of Business Regulation in Economic Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2021
- [Public Private Dialogue (PPD) with the Use of New Technologies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-PPD-report-final.pdf) - Technical report
- [Diálogo público-privado (PPD) con el uso de las nuevas tecnologías](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-PPD-report-es.pdf) - Technical report
- [Dialogue public-privé (DPP) avec l'utilisation des nouvelles technologies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-PPD-report-fr.pdf) - Technical report
- [Industrial Policy](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_IP_SynthesisNote.pdf) - Updated DCED Synthesis Note, May 2021
- [Dealing With Firm Informality](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Dealing-With-Firm-Informality-Final.pdf) - Research paper
- [Donor Responses for Promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment During COVID-19](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Policy-brief-WEE-During-COVID-19.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Promoting Responsible Business Conduct: A scoping paper for donors supporting Private Sector Engagement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_Promoting-Responsible-Business-Conduct_Scoping-Paper-for-Donors-supporting-PSE.pdf) - Scoping paper
- [Donor Agency Engagement in Gender Lens Investing](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Donor-Engagement-in-Gender-lens-Investing_WEEWG-Paper.pdf) - Working paper
- [Bridging the gap: unlocking synergies between private sector development and development finance](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1585/) - Technical report
- [Leveraging Private Sector Practices to Guide Green Business Environment Reform](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Green-Business-Environment-Reform-Report.pdf) - Research report
- [Private Sector Engagement Synthesis Note (Spanish): Compromiso del sector privado](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Private-Sector-Engagement-Synthesis-Note-es.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [Private Sector Engagement Synthesis Note (French): Engagement du secteur privé](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Private-Sector-Engagement-Synthesis-Note-fr.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [Tackling Impact Assessment of Business Enabling Environment Interventions](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Assessing-impacts-of-BEE-interventions-GROW-case.pdf) - Case study
- [Childcare Solutions for Women Micro and Small Enterprises](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Childcare-Solutions-for-Women-Micro-and-Small-Enterprises-MAY-22.pdf) - Research paper
- [Green PSD Navigator](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-GGWG-Green-PSD-Navigator.pdf) - Overview
- [Enhancing the Use of Evidence and Results Measurement in Business Environment Reform Programming](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Use-of-Evidence-Report-MAY22.pdf) - Technical report
- [Enhancing the Use of Evidence and Results Measurement in Business Environment Reform Programming - Guidance note](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Enhancing-the-use-of-evidence-and-results-measurement-in-BER-programming-note.jpg) - Guidance note
- [WEE Gateway](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/womens-economic-empowerment/) - DCED WEE Gateway
- [With an ID in Hand, Women Have More Economic Opportunities](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/With-an-ID-in-Hand-Women-Have-More-Economic-Opportunties-DCED-BEWG-Technical-Report-Dec-2022.pdf) - Technical report
- [Enhancing the Use of Evidence for Results Measurement in BER Programming](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Policy-Brief-Enhancing-the-Use-of-Evidence-Jan-23.pdf) - Policy Brief, January 2023
- [With an ID in Hand, Women Have More Economic Opportunities - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Legal-ID-for-Women-Policy-Brief-FEB23.pdf) - Policy brief
- [WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Report-WTO-Investment-Facilitation-Agreement-DEC23.pdf) - Research report
- [Addressing Informality Through Simplified Enterprise Forms and a Special Legal Status](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Report-Addressing-Informality-DEC23.pdf) - Research report
- [Addressing Informality Through Simplified Enterprise Forms and a Special Legal Status - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BEWG-Addressing-Informality-Policy-Brief-DEC23.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Sowing Change: Women in Food Systems and Climate Change](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/4_Brief_Food_System.pdf) - Women-Led Climate Initiatives Series
- [Natural Resource Management: Empowering Women, Nurturing Nature](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/3_Brief_NRM.pdf) - Women-Led Climate Initiatives Series
- [Redefining Power: Women-Led Sustainable Energy Solutions](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/1_Sustainable-Energy-Brief.pdf) - Case study brief
- [Fighting for Climate Justice: Empowering Women to Advocate on Climate Change Issues](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/2_Climate-Advocacy-Brief.pdf) - Case study brief
- [Seeding Success: Donor Strategies for Supporting Women-Led Climate Initiatives](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/5_Brief_Donor_Strategies.pdf) - Case study brief
- [Guiding programmes to assess system change](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/1989_donor_brief_on_guiding_programmes_to_assess_system_change.pdf) - Donor brief
- [Implications of New Environmental Regulations](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Implications-of-New-Environmental-Regulations-Full-Report-February-2025.pdf) - Technical report
- [Implications of New Environmental Regulations - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Implications-of-New-Environmental-Regulations-Policy-Brief-February-2025.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Business Environment Reforms to Improve Economic Resilience to Global Shocks](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-3_2025-BER-for-Global-Shocks.pdf) - Technical report
- [Business Environment Reforms to Improve Economic Resilience to Global Shocks - Policy Brief](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Policy-Brief-DCED-3_2025-BER-for-Global-Shocks.pdf) - Policy brief
- [Renewed SME Agenda in the Context of Green and Just Transition](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Renewed-SME-Agenda-in-the-Context-of-Green-and-Just-Transition-Report-Sept-2025.pdf) - Technical Report 2025
- [Adjusting procurement processes for MSD programmes](https://beamexchange.org/resources/tools/1397/) - Tools
- [What support do MSD leaders need to thrive?](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/2130/) - Leadership brief
- [MSD approaches to programming in fragile and conflict-affected situations](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/2087/) - Learning brief
- [International trade and market systems development: A study exploring the nexus](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1994/) - Report
- [2024 Evidence Review: The results achieved by programmes that use the MSD approach](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1993/) - Report
- [Greening the MSD approach for agricultural programmes](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1885/) - Guidance
- [Where do MSD leaders come from? (and where do they go?)](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1886/) - Brief
- [A rough guide to the MSD approach for youth employment in sub-Saharan Africa](https://beamexchange.org/resources/tools/1752/) - Operational guidance
- [An MSD advocate's arsenal #1: Katalyst 'Seeds of change'](https://beamexchange.org/resources/1238/) - Powerpoint presentation
- [An MSD advocate's arsenal #2: ALCP 'Healthy herds'](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1273/) - Powerpoint
- [Making the case for MSD #3: fodder for the future](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1293/) - Powerpoint
- [The story of MSD: achieving sustainable development at scale](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1353/) - Case studies
- [MSD in fragile and conflict-affected situations](https://beamexchange.org/resources/resource-library/1486/) - Lessons
- [#Digital4MSME](https://beamexchange.org/resources/tools/1493/) - Toolkit
- [Private Sector Engagement Synthesis Note](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-Private-Sector-Engagement-Synthesis-Note.pdf) - Synthesis note
- [Dealing with Informality in Conflict and Fragile Settings](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dealing-with-informality-in-conflict-and-fragile-settings/) - Technical report
- [The Business Case for Women’s Economic Empowerment: An Integrated Approach - ICRW (2014)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/the-business-case-for-womens-economic-empowerment-an-integrated-approach-icrw-2014/) - >>> Read the full resource ICRW, 2014 – 8 pages This study highlights the eight building blocks of WEE. Additionally, it presents results from research on corporate-funded WEE programmes. Main takeaways: While there are a lot of corporations investing in WEE, there is little available data about what is working and what is not.
- [Guide on Gender Mainstreaming: Business, investment and technology services for private sector development - UNIDO (2015)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/guide-on-gender-mainstreaming-business-investment-and-technology-services-for-private-sector-development-unido-2015/) - >>> Read the full resource UNIDO, 2015 – 82 pages All United Nations agencies share responsibility for improving gender equality and thus need to understand the relevance of gender issues to fulfilling their mandate. By systematically mainstreaming gender into its Business, Investment and Technology (BIT) interventions to strengthen Private Sector Development (PSD), UNIDO is
- [Gender Responsive Nature-based Solutions Toolkit](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_NBS_Toolkit_Final_March_25-1.pdf) - Toolkit
- [The DCED Standard for Results Measurement: At a glance](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCEDStandardOnePageSummary.pdf) - One page summary
- [Promoting Responsible Business Conduct: Key issues for donor agencies supporting private sector engagement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Promoting-RBC_Key-issues-for-PSE-donors_DCEDDocumentSummary.pdf) - Summary
- [How to Integrate Gender & Women’s Economic Empowerment into Private Sector Development: An accompanying guide for policy-makers - DCED (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/how-to-integrate-gender-womens-economic-empowerment-into-private-sector-development-an-accompanying-guide-for-policy-makers-dced-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource 2018, DCED – 14 pages This document is designed to give concise guidance on integrating WEE on the policy side. The focus of this guidance note will be on the policy cycle, providing support to policy-makers focused on the key tasks that they commonly undertake, namely: Integrating WEE into
- [Latest Research and Evidence on PSD - Special Feature: Women's Economic Empowerment - DCED (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/latest-research-and-evidence-on-psd-special-feature-womens-economic-empowerment-dced-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED – 5 pages This update brings together key findings from recent original studies on constraints and solutions to WEE, as well as the social and economic benefits of WEE. Main takeaways: There are persistent gender gaps in the economic empowerment of women and men in the agricultural
- [Advanced Training Workshop in Results Measurement: Assessing system change](https://www.enterprise-development.org/advanced-training-workshop-in-results-measurement-assessing-system-change/) - Bangkok, Thailand, 9-13 October 2023
- [Donor Support to Green Industrial Policies - learning from experience](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED_GGWG_Green_Industrial_Policy_2025.pdf) - Interactive report 2025
- [Renewed SME Agenda in the Context of Green and Just Transition](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/Renewed-SME-Agenda-in-the-Context-of-Green-and-Just-Transition-Policy-Brief-Sept-2025.pdf) - Policy Brief 2025
- [A Business Environment for the Digital Transformation of the Economy](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/DCED-BER-Digital-Transformation-Report-2025.pdf) - Technical report 2025
- [Business Environment Reform and Competition Policy for a Green Transition](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-Competition-Policy-for-Green-Transition-Nov25.pdf) - Technical report 2025
- [Business Environment Reform and Competition Policy for a Green Transition](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-Policy-Note_Competition-Policy-and-Green-Transition-Nov25.pdf) - Policy Brief 2025
- [Business Environment Reform and Private Capital Mobilisation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/wp-content/uploads/BEWG-Private-Capital-Mobilisation-Report-DEC25.pdf) - Technical report 2025
- [Transformative Approaches to WEE in Practice: Case studies from Africa](https://www.enterprise-development.org/transformative-approaches-to-wee-in-practice-case-studies-from-africa/) - Case studies
- [Use of New Technologies in Regulatory Delivery](https://www.enterprise-development.org/use-of-new-technologies-in-regulatory-delivery/) - Report, January 2020
- [Introduction to the DCED Standard: The experience of PPSE in Kosovo](https://www.enterprise-development.org/introduction-to-the-dced-standard-the-experience-of-ppse-in-kosovo/) - Overview
- [COVID-19 Newsletter](https://www.enterprise-development.org/covid-19-newsletter/) - May 2021
- [Emerging economic recovery and resilience strategies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/emerging-economic-recovery-and-resilience-strategies/) - Summary of emerging trends in the COVID-19 recovery and resilience strategies of DCED member agencies.
- [PSD and Digitalisation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/psd-and-digitalisation-dced-synthesis-note/) - DCED Synthesis Note, October, 2020.
- [Roles of the Business Environment in Global Value Chains](https://www.enterprise-development.org/global-value-chains-technical-report/) - Technical Report, February 2023
- [BER and COVID-19 Policy Brief 1](https://www.enterprise-development.org/ber-and-covid-19-policy-brief/) - Using Business Regulation in Re-opening the Economy following the COVID-19 Pandemic, March 2021
- [Gender and Business Environment Reform: What is “Best Practice”? - BERF (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/gender-and-business-environment-reform-what-is-best-practice-berf-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource BERF, 2016 – 32 pages This report investigates how to make incremental improvements to existing programmes and learn more about how they can benefit women, whilst continuing to build on what is already working in the field. This report recommends the following: Results should be disaggregated by gender for
- [Green Innovation and Entrepreneurship](https://www.enterprise-development.org/green-innovation-and-entrepreneurship/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 6 pages This Guidance Sheet sets out some rationales for gender-responsive green innovation and entrepreneurship programmes. It provides examples of how diverse gender and green growth approaches have been integrated into existing donor programmes and it presents lessons learned and recommendations for future programmes.
- [Green Finance](https://www.enterprise-development.org/green-finance/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 6 pages This Guidance Sheet sets out the case for incorporating gender-responsive approaches to green finance in donor programmes; provides examples of how diverse gender and green finance approaches have been integrated into existing donor-funded activity; makes recommendations for future programmes.
- [An Introduction to Gender-Responsive Green Growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/an-introduction-to-gender-responsive-green-growth/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 12 pages This Guidance Sheet provides a brief introduction to the nexus of gender and green growth. Its purpose is to support practitioners working on the design and implementation of development programmes to consider the gender dimensions of green growth. It sets out the case for
- [Macro-Economic Policies and National Green Growth Strategies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/macro-economic-policies-and-national-green-growth-strategies/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 8 pages This Guidance Sheet sets out arguments for considering gender-responsive approaches in donor programmes focused on macro-economic policies and national green growth strategies. It includes examples of how diverse approaches have been integrated into existing programmes and gives recommendations for future programming.
- [Green Jobs and Skills Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/green-jobs-and-skills-development/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 5 pages This Guidance Sheet sets out the case for incorporating gender-responsive approaches to green jobs and skills development in donor programmes. It provides examples of how such approaches have been integrated into existing donor-funded activity, and it offers recommendations for future programmes.
- [Green Value Chains](https://www.enterprise-development.org/green-value-chains/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED - 6 pages This Guidance Sheet sets out the case for incorporating gender-responsive approaches to value chain programmes. It presents examples of how diverse gender approaches have been integrated into the existing donor-funded activity. Furthermore, it offers success factors and recommendations for future programmes.
- [Newsletter](https://www.enterprise-development.org/newsletter/) - November 2024
- [DCED Global Seminar, 1-3 October 2024, Nairobi](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-global-seminar-1-3-october-2024-nairobi/) - This event for international donors and experienced development practitioners focused on systemic approaches to achieve inclusive and enduring results from private sector development. Read the synthesis report here.
- [DCED 2024 Annual Meeting, Washington, DC](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-2024-annual-meeting-washington-dc/) - The DCED Annual Meeting for DCED members agencies and potential member agencies took place in Washington, DC, 3-6 June 2024.
- [Youth empowerment at the centre of systems change with the Youth Resilience Activity](https://www.enterprise-development.org/beam-exchange-webinar/) - BEAM Exchange webinar, 17 October 16:00 CEST
- [Feminist Perspectives on Care Work in the MENA Region - Gender at Work (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/feminist-perspectives-on-care-work-in-the-mena-region-gender-at-work-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource Gender at Work, 2020 – 18 pages This report provides feminist perspectives on care work in the MENA region because there is a dearth of credible studies and statistics on this topic. Feminist activists and scholars concur that the care economy is vital to the well-being and livelihoods of
- [Alliances Programme Georgia 2008 - 2021](https://www.enterprise-development.org/case-study-alliances-programme-georgia-2008-2021/) - >>> Read the full resource A WEE Gateway Case Study, 2022 The Alliances Programme is one of the very first interventions that has taken conscious efforts to mainstream gender and focus on women’s economic empowerment (WEE) in a market development programme. There are several key lessons we can learn from the way this programme
- [Waka Mere: Advancing Workplace Gender Equality 2017 - 2019](https://www.enterprise-development.org/waka-mere-advancing-workplace-gender-equality-2017-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource A WEE Gateway Case Study, 2022 From 2017 – 2019, the IFC ran the Waka Mere programme on the Solomon Islands, which focused on advancing workplace gender equality. In partnership with 15 large local companies, several interventions were implemented throughout the 2-year period. Solomon Airlines directed their efforts to
- [Scaling the Financial Inclusion Pyramid in Egypt 2018 - 2020](https://www.enterprise-development.org/scaling-the-financial-inclusion-pyramid-in-egypt-2018-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource A WEE Gateway Case Study, 2022 AWEF undertook a financial sector mapping to identify the constraints to women’s access to, and use of, financial services while harnessing the power of digital financial services to drive female financial inclusion and economic empowerment. By making financial services more widely available and lowering costs and barriers to access finance, financial technology
- [Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project, Lebanon 2010 - 2014](https://www.enterprise-development.org/16216-2/) - >>> Read the full resource A WEE Gateway Case Study, 2022 The Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project (REEWP) focused on promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment through value chain promotion in Jordan, Lebanon, The Palestinian Territories and Tunisia. It was part of EconoWin – a regional GIZ programme improving the conditions for economic integration of
- [Private Sector Development and COVID-19](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/) - A knowledge portal with resources on the impact of the coronavirus and how PSD interventions can respond.
- [Gender Transformative Approaches in the Global Programme to End Child Marriage- UNICEF (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/gender-transformative-approaches-in-the-global-programme-to-end-child-marriage-unicef-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource Child marriage is both a symptom and a result of deep seated gender inequalities and restrictive gender norms. Addressing child marriage therefore necessitates a gender-transformative approach, tackling harmful gender roles, norms and power relations. This note articulates strategies for adopting a gender-transformative approach in designing, implementing and measuring programmes
- [Promoting Economic Empowerment for Women in the Informal Economy - WOW (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/promoting-economic-empowerment-for-women-in-the-informal-economy-wow-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource WOW Helpdesk Guidance No. 1, 2019 – 59 pages To strengthen WEE outcomes, inclusive growth strategies should focus not only on creating jobs in the formal economy – and ensuring access to those jobs for women - but also on improving the quality of and returns to work in
- [Key Facts in Women’s Economic Empowerment - WOW (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/key-facts-in-womens-economic-empowerment-wow-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, WOW – 20 pages This query supports the ability to influence the investment community by selecting and analysing a set of ‘Key Facts’ that support the case for WEE. Several “facts” on the status of WEE and gender gaps - or on the business or development opportunities of
- [Unlocking Markets for Women to Trade - ITC (2015)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/unlocking-markets-for-women-to-trade-itc-2015/) - >>> Read the full resource International Trade Centre, 2015 – 80 pages This publication provides insights to decision-makers on women’s participation in trade and the challenges they face. It provides data from importers and exporters in 20 developing countries; outlines the trade barriers; shares models of good public and private sector initiatives; and provides
- [Bridging the Digital Gender Divide: Include, upskill, innovate - OECD (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/bridging-the-digital-gender-divide-include-upskill-innovate-oecd-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource OECD, 2018 – 151 pages This report explores a range of factors that underpin the digital gender divide, bolsters the evidence base for policy making and provides policy directions for consideration by all G20 governments. The report finds that hurdles to access, affordability, lack of education as well as
- [Beyond Income: A critical analysis of agency measurement in economic programming - MDF (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/beyond-income-a-critical-analysis-of-agency-measurement-in-economic-programming-mdf-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource MDF, 2018 – 58 pages MDF has created a practical framework that measures and monitors women’s access and agency, both of which are key indicators of WEE. Access is defined as a women’s ability to access economic resources and information, while Agency is the ability to make decisions and
- [A ‘How-To’ Guide to Measuring Women’s Empowerment - Oxfam (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/a-how-to-guide-to-measuring-womens-empowerment-sharing-experience-from-oxfams-impact-evaluations-oxfam-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource Oxfam, 2017 – 48 pages To understand the extent to which its projects have contributed to women’s empowerment, Oxfam has developed a measurement tool based on a composite index – the Women’s Empowerment Index. This builds on experience and tools from the Women’s Empowerment in Agriculture Index (WEAI) and
- [Violence and Harassment at Work: A guide for small and medium enterprises to prevent violence and harassment in the workplace - RVO (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/violence-and-harassment-at-work-a-guide-for-small-and-medium-enterprises-to-prevent-violence-and-harassment-in-the-workplace-rvo-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource RVO, 2020 – 24 pages This guide is designed to help SMEs tackle the problem of violence and harassment by: Informing about the characteristics of violence and harassment in the workplace. Providing background information on the adopted ILO Convention 190. Providing tips to more effectively tackle and prevent violence
- [Private Equity and Value Creation: A fund manager's guide to gender-smart investing - IFC & CDC (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-equity-and-value-creation-a-fund-managers-guide-to-gender-smart-investing-ifc-cdc-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource IFC & CDC, 2020 – 109 pages Given the business case for gender-smart investing is well established, and the fact that women around the globe have been impacted more severely by the pandemic, it is more important than ever for private investors, including private equity funds, to direct capital
- [Women, Business and the Law - WB (2021)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/women-business-and-the-law-wb-2021/) - >>> Read the full resource World Bank 2021 – 134 pages Women, Business and the Law is a platform and report that analyses laws and regulations affecting women's economic inclusion in 190 economies. Every year, the project presents progress on eight indicators structured around women’s interactions with the law as they move through their
- [Developing Gender-Sensitive Value Chains: Guidelines for practitioners - FAO (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/developing-gender-sensitive-value-chains-guidelines-for-practitioners-fao-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource FAO, 2018 – 116 pages These guidelines aim to support practitioners in translating FAO’s Gender-Sensitive Value Chain Framework into action. They are primarily intended to assist practitioners in designing and implementing interventions that provide women and men with equal opportunities to benefit from agri-food value chain development. They offer
- [AWEF Practitioner Learning Brief - Working with the Private Sector to Empower Women: What to measure and how to build the business case for change](https://www.enterprise-development.org/awef-practitioner-learning-brief-working-with-the-private-sector-to-empower-women-what-to-measure-and-how-to-build-the-business-case-for-change/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, AWEF – 54 pages There is a related SEEP webinar: Working with the Private Sector to Empower Women: How to Build the Business Case for Change This brief brings together learning and practice on how to develop a robust business case, which demonstrates the commercial and financial value
- [Case Study: Advancing Women’s Financial Inclusion through Gender-Sensitive Business Environment Reform](https://www.enterprise-development.org/case-study-advancing-womens-financial-inclusion-through-gender-sensitive-business-environment-reform/) - >>> Read the full resource 2017, DCED – 34 pages Gender-sensitive business environment reform refers to changes in policy, legal, institutional, and regulatory conditions that govern business activities in ways that account for the dynamics of socially constructed relationships between men and women. A gender-sensitive business environment can play an enabling role in addressing
- [Case Study: Gender-Sensitive Business Environment Reform and Informality](https://www.enterprise-development.org/case-study-gender-sensitive-business-environment-reform-and-informality/) - >>> Read the full resource 2017, DCED – 30 pages Gender-sensitive business environment reform can play a valuable role in reducing the overall levels of informality and unfair competition for registered firms, drive tax revenues and regulatory oversight, as well as support the graduation of women’s and men’s enterprises and employment into the formal
- [Gender-lens Investments Enable Women Entrepreneurs to Thrive in Pakistan - IFC (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/gender-lens-investments-enable-women-entrepreneurs-to-thrive-in-pakistan-ifc-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource IFC, 2020 – 8 pages In 2019, IFC invested $2 million into Sarmayacar, supporting start-ups in Pakistan through one of the first Venture Capital funds in the country. Additional Women Entrepreneurs Finance Initiative (We-Fi) funding was specifically leveraged to support Sarmayacar to invest with a gender lens. This partnership
- [Scoping Study on Customary Law and Women’s Entrepreneurship - BERF/DFID (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/scoping-study-on-customary-law-and-womens-entrepreneurship-berf-dfid-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource BERF/DFID, 2017 – 39 pages This scoping study indicates how customary laws and practices can impact women as owners and managers of enterprises and as employees of these enterprises. Areas within the business environment that are most directly affected by customary laws and practices include: Access to finance, with
- [Mainstreaming Women's Economic Empowerment in Market Systems Development - SDC (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/mainstreaming-womens-economic-empowerment-in-market-systems-development-sdc-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource 2016, SDC – 9 pages This guidance sheet provides a high-level overview of the basic concepts concerning WEAMS and M4P. It is one of a series written to support agency staff in ensuring that gender issues are taken into account transversally in different thematic domains and focuses on market
- [Gender-Sensitive Business Environment Reform: Why does it matter? – A policy guide](https://www.enterprise-development.org/gender-sensitive-business-environment-reform-why-does-it-matter-a-policy-guide/) - >>> Read the full resource 2017, DCED – 11 pages The premise of this policy guide is that without addressing gender-specific issues or women’s greater vulnerability to business environment constraints at all levels, functions and components of the business environment, women’s employment and entrepreneurship will be hampered. This in turn will have serious implications
- [Measuring WEE: A Compendium of Selected Tools - CGD (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-wee-a-compendium-of-selected-tools-cgd-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource 2020, CGD – 120 pages This compendium selects and reviews tools for measuring WEE (or disempowerment) grouped into 20 population monitoring tools and 15 monitoring and evaluation tools (M&E). The main objective is practical: helping readers both understand how different measurement tools are built and select among the most
- [Measurement of Women’s Economic Empowerment - WOW (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measurement-of-womens-economic-empowerment-wow-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource 2020, WOW – 54 pages This Guidance Note identifies core indicators, principles, and recommendations for effective, consistent measurement of WEE. It includes a recognition that there is no universal set of indicators that will be appropriate for every project, in every sector and every context. To provide effective measurement
- [Toolkits from the UN Secretary-General's High Level Panel on WEE - UN Women (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/toolkits-un-women/) - >>> Read the full resource 2017, UN Women - online tool A host of comprehensive resources from the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Panel on WEE, making the case for investment in WEE, its timeliness and the current landscape. The platform also includes several “how -to” guides that detail appropriate courses of action on the seven
- [Women’s Economic Empowerment: What do we know? - DCED (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-economic-empowerment-what-do-we-know-dced-synthesis-note-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource 2019, DCED Synthesis note – 6 pages This synthesis note gives a brief overview of the most important aspects relating to WEE: the business case, key definitions, constraints and opportunities and impact measurement. Main takeaways: WEE is a contested term; most definitions include ‘access’ and ‘agency’ as key elements
- [Guide to Gender Analysis and Gender Mainstreaming the Project Cycle - UNIDO (2021)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/unido-guide-to-gender-analysis-and-gender-mainstreaming-the-project-cycle-unido-2021/) - >>> Read the full resource 2021, UNIDO Gender – 64 pages This practical Gender Mainstreaming Guide and Toolkit provides guidance, entry points and concrete recommendations for technical personnel and Gender Focal Points working on UNIDO projects and programmes as well as for implementing partners and stakeholders. It aims to facilitate the effective and efficient
- [How to Mainstream Gender in Project Cycle Management - SDC (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/how-to-mainstream-gender-in-project-cycle-management-sdc-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource 2018, SDC - 7 pages This is a practical ‘How to’ guide focusing on mainstreaming gender in the programme or project cycle management. Applying a gender lens in the project cycle means taking into account power, risk, and exclusion dynamics from the outset. This deepens understanding of endogenous social
- [Women's Wage Employment in Developing Countries: Regulatory barriers and opportunities - USAID (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-wage-employment-in-developing-countries-regulatory-barriers-and-opportunities-usaid-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource USAID, 2018 – 88 pages This report examines how laws and regulations in developing and transitional countries limit or enable women to enter, remain, and advance in the formal sector workforce. Specifically, this study analyses how gender inequalities in civil and administrative laws, regulatory employment restrictions, occupational licenses, employment
- [Business Environment Reform and Gender, Technical paper](https://www.enterprise-development.org/business-environment-reform-and-gender-technical-paper/) - >>> Read the full resource 2016, DCED – 97 pages This study on business environment reform and gender highlights gaps in the evidence basis. It provides support to donors in formulating and implementing gender-sensitive business environment reform programmes in developing countries, which contribute to a more conducive business environment that works for women as
- [Investing in Women: New evidence for the business case - IFC (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/investing-in-women-new-evidence-for-the-business-case-ifc-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource IFC, 2017- 80 pages The business rationale for gender-smart solutions is diverse and wide-reaching. Diversity can improve talent pipelines, strengthen market development, and build an enabling investment climate. By considering the full scope of the business case, companies can unlock opportunities for increased profit, growth, and innovation. This report supports
- [The Win-Win Case for Women’s Economic Empowerment and Growth: Review of the literature - GrOW (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/the-win-win-case-for-womens-economic-empowerment-and-growth-review-of-the-literature-grow-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource GrOW Research Series, 2017 – 40 pages This report explores the relationship between WEE and growth. On the one hand, it investigates if WEE contributes to growth. Does women’s more equal participation lead to increases in production, productivity and efficiency? On the other hand, it studies the evidence that,
- [Will Women in Low-income Countries Get Lost in Transformation? - ODI (2015)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/will-women-in-low-income-countries-get-lost-in-transformation-odi-2015/) - >>> Read the full resource ODI, 2015 – 29 pages Economic transformation is defined as the movement of resources (factors of production) to high-productivity activities, both within and between sectors. It encompasses both the process of structural change (movement of resources between sectors) and within sector labour productivity improvements. Focusing on low-income countries, where
- [Women’s Economic Empowerment in Technical Assistance Programmes: Examples of good practice in PSD - GIZ (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-economic-empowerment-in-technical-assistance-programmes-examples-of-good-practice-in-psd-giz-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource GIZ, 2016 - 104 pages The study aims to identify selected examples of good practice in terms of gender-specific approaches and instruments used in private sector development. It looks at the gender impacts achieved, presenting the lessons learned in an easily accessible form. Additionally, it describes the main concepts
- [Enhancing the Productivity of Women-Owned Enterprises: The evidence on what works - IDRC (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/enhancing-the-productivity-of-women-owned-enterprises-the-evidence-on-what-works-idrc-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource IDRC, 2016 – 33 pages This paper takes stock of what we know about women entrepreneurs, the barriers they face, the role of economic and social-cultural factors, what works in supporting women-owned businesses, and where the knowledge gaps are. Main takeaways: Training programmes can work and have positive impacts
- [Understanding and measuring WEE: Definition, framework, and indicators - ICRW (2018)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/understanding-and-measuring-wee-definition-framework-and-indicators-icrw-2018/) - >>> Read the full resource ICRW, 2018 – 12 pages This document is intended as a conceptual guide, rather than an operational toolkit. Economic empowerment is a complex process, and the general framework presented here will have to be adapted to meet the needs of specific projects. This document presents: A definition of women’s
- [Incubate, Invest, Impact. Building and Investing in High-Impact Enterprises for Empowering Women and Girls - GIZ (2014)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/incubate-invest-impact-building-and-investing-in-high-impact-enterprises-for-empowering-women-and-girls-giz-2014/) - >>> Read the full resource GIZ, 2014 – 92 pages This study explores how the social entrepreneurship ecosystem can unite to develop an action plan on gender lens incubation and investing for enterprises focused on the low-income market segment in India. An analytical framework to identify high impact enterprises that promote gender equality and
- [The Global Landscape of Gender Lens Investing - Intellecap (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/the-global-landscape-of-gender-lens-investing-intellecap-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource Intellecap, 2019 – 52 pages This report provides a comprehensive overview of gender lens investing – defined as an investing approach to promote social and/or economic empowerment of women, in addition to financial returns. It presents the landscape of gender lens investing and analyses strategies used by gender lens
- [Engaging and Working with Men: Programme insights and key considerations for the agricultural sector - USAID (2016)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/engaging-and-working-with-men-programme-insights-and-key-considerations-for-the-agricultural-sector-usaid-2016/) - >>> Read the full resource USAID, 2016 – 8 pages This technical brief focuses on how to engage men in WEE programmes. It presents guidance on the effective engagement of men in programming to achieve WEE and gender equality outcomes in the agricultural sector using a market systems approach. The brief establishes five key
- [Addressing Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH): Emerging good practice for the private sector - CDC, EBRD & IFC (2020)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/addressing-gender-based-violence-and-harassment-gbvh-emerging-good-practice-for-the-private-sector-cdc-ebrd-ifc-2020/) - >>> Read the full resource CDC, EBRD, and IFC, 2020 – 96 pages Addressing GBVH in the private sector is a relatively new and complex area. This guidance note outlines emerging practices in addressing GBVH in operations, projects, and investments. These practices are drawn from recent experience in the private sector, as well as
- [Empowering Women Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: Why current programs fall short - Brookings (2019)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/empowering-women-entrepreneurs-in-developing-countries-why-current-programs-fall-short-brookings-2019/) - >>> Read the full resource Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings, 2019 – 9 pages Current WEE interventions are not enough to overcome all obstacles facing female entrepreneurs. The emerging evidence from psychology and experimental economics on agency; mind-set, and leadership show that for successful interventions to be transformative, they need to move beyond basic
- [How Women Contribute to and Benefit from Growth. Integrating Women’s Economic Empowerment into the Market Development Facility (MDF) Approach (2015)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/how-women-contribute-to-and-benefit-from-growth-integrating-womens-economic-empowerment-into-the-market-development-facility-mdf-approach-2015/) - >>> Read the full resource Market Development Facility, 2015 – 62 pages This Strategic Guidance Note explains the background to and international thinking on WEE and describes how the MDF programme addresses WEE. Most notably, it provides an interesting example of how to structurally integrate a diagnostic WEE framework in a wider market development
- [Global Gender Gap Report – WEF (2021)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/global-gender-gap-report-wef-2021/) - >>> Read the full resource WEF, 2021 – 405 pages The Global Gender Gap Index benchmarks the evolution of gender-based gaps among four key dimensions (Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment) and tracks progress towards closing these gaps over time. Main takeaways: On its current trajectory, it will
- [Women’s Pathways to the Digital Sector: Stories of challenges and opportunities - BMZ (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-pathways-to-the-digital-sector-stories-of-challenges-and-opportunities/) - >>> Read the full resource BMZ, 2017 - 52 pages This study aims at understanding the role of ICT in realising women’s rights, gender equality and WEE. It identifies the challenges and opportunities for women and girls to partake in ICT education and employment. Furthermore, the study portrays 22 women working in different roles
- [USAID Women’s Economic Empowerment and Equality (W3) Dashboard: Interactive tool compiling country-specific data on women’s economic, social, and political inclusion](https://www.enterprise-development.org/usaid-womens-economic-empowerment-and-equality-w3-dashboard-interactive-tool-compiling-country-specific-data-on-womens-economic-social-and-political-inclusion/) - >>> Read the full resource USAID, 2018 – online tool The Women's Economic Empowerment and Equality (WE3) Dashboard provides a quick assessment of women’s inclusion in the economy, showcasing the extent to which women have attained economic, social, and political empowerment. This interactive tool provides USAID and the broader gender community with a starting
- [Women's Economic Empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa – Recommendations for Business Action - BSR (2017)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-economic-empowerment-in-sub-saharan-africa-recommendations-for-business-action-bsr-2017/) - >>> Read the full resource 2017 BSR – 69 pages This report seeks to mobilise greater private-sector action to advance WEE in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). It highlights key challenges facing women in SSA and offers companies operating in the region recommendations on how to promote WEE through their actions and by enabling and influencing others.
- [How to put Gender and WEE into practice in M4P: A Description of the Ethos, Systems and Tools used in the Alliances Programme in Georgia](https://www.enterprise-development.org/how-to-put-gender-and-wee-into-practice-in-m4p-a-description-of-the-ethos-systems-and-tools-used-in-the-alliances-programme-in-georgia/) - >>> Read the full resource 2016, DCED – 22 pages The paper focuses on how the impact of development programming can be equitably distributed amongst male and female beneficiaries. It focuses on the Alliances Lesser Caucasus Programme in Georgia and examines how to put gender and WEE into practice in a “making markets work
- [Public Private Dialogue (PPD) with the Use of New Technologies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/public-private-dialogue-ppd-with-the-use-of-new-technologies/) - Research Paper, March 2021
- [COVID-19 Newsletter Sign-Up](https://www.enterprise-development.org/covid-19-newsletter-sign-up/) - Sign up to receive regular updates on new COVID-19 resources.
- [DCED response to COVID-19](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-response-to-covid-19/) - Read what the DCED is doing to support members during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- [Adjusting PSD interventions in the short term](https://www.enterprise-development.org/adjusting-psd-interventions-in-the-short-term/) - Summary of key trends in short-term adjustments being made to PSD programmes in response to COVID-19.
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## Pages

- [Home Page](https://www.enterprise-development.org/) - The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development Learning from Experience The DCED is a forum for learning about the most effective ways to create economic opportunities for
- [Women's Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/womens-economic-empowerment/) - This page offers information on how to implement private sector development (PSD) programmes in gender-sensitive ways and promote Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) – which is recognised as one of the major driving forces of global economic growth and well-being. Our WEE Webinar Library brings together top webinars on various WEE topics into a complementary video learning
- [Upcoming training courses and events in PSD by others](https://www.enterprise-development.org/events/events-by-others/) - This page lists lists training courses and other events in Private Sector Development by various organisations. Events organised by the DCED and its knowledge platform on the market systems development approach, the BEAM Exchange, are listed separately on the DCED’s events portal. Contents ToggleTraining, Events and Support on Market Systems Development (MSD)Training and Events on
- [Market Systems Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/market-systems/) - Market Systems Development (MSD) reduces poverty by enhancing the ways that poor women and men interact with the markets that provide them with jobs, income and access to services. This page gives access to key documents on the MSD approach. The BEAM Exchange website hosts a wealth of resources about the MSD approach, including a
- [Green Growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/green-growth/) - Green Growth Working Group Objectives Many private sector development (PSD) policies and programmes aim to achieve green as well as economic goals, including mitigating and adapting to climate change, reducing environmental pollutants, and reversing biodiversity loss, land degradation and water scarcity. Meeting these needs can also be an opportunity for businesses and economies in the
- [Minutes of the Green Growth Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-green-growth-working-group/1865-2/) - Only the Minutes of meetings in the last five years are included here. Green Growth Working Group (Teleconference), April 2026 Green Growth Working Group (Teleconference), January 2026 Green Growth Working Group (Teleconference), October 2025 Green Growth Working Group (Geneva), June 2025 Green Growth Working Group (Teleconference), April 2025 Green Growth Working Group (Teleconference), February 2025
- [Global PSD Jobs Board](https://www.enterprise-development.org/psd-jobs/) - Global PSD Jobs Board This page lists current job opportunities in private sector development – with DCED member agencies, their programmes, as well as other organisations. For additional opportunities in market systems development, refer to the BEAM Exchange jobs notice board. Helvetas Ukraine has open positions in Kyiv.The Rockefeller Brothers Fund is hiring a new President and Chief Executive Officer
- [DCED Secretariat](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/dcedsecretariat/) - DCED Secretariat The DCED Secretariat was established in 2004. It implements the strategy of the DCED under the overall guidance of the ExCo.The Secretariat manages, supports and oversees the implementation of DCED activities. Knowledge management and external engagement with a view to generate and share knowledge on effective PSD practice are among its core tasks. This
- [DCED Global Seminar 2026](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-global-seminar-2026/) - This event was held in conjunction with the DCED Annual Meeting (for DCED member agencies only) on 15 and 19 June. Read the DCED Global Seminar 2026 summary report here. With generous support from: Introduction The DCED, together with the BEAM Exchange – its knowledge platform on market systems development (MSD), has a track record in running Global Seminars to
- [DCED Annual Meeting, Nairobi, 15 and 19 June 2026](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/48-annual-meeting/) - The DCED 2026 Annual Meeting took place on 15 and 19 June in Nairobi, Kenya, in conjunction with a DCED Global Seminar (16-18 June). With generous support by: Schedule of meetings >> To view the full programme for the Annual Meeting and Global Seminar, please refer to our dedicated event app. Note that only registered
- [Why Public-Private Partnerships](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/rationale-for-ppp/) - A) General rationale for partnerships with businesses Business leaders are increasingly interested in social and developmental issues. They may be interested to invest their own resources in initiatives that would have developmental outcomes – but the risks involved in ‘going it alone’ may be simply too high. For donors, partnering with individual businesses can offer
- [Why Market Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/rationale-for-market-development/) - A) General rationale for Market Development approaches Proponents of market development approaches, such as Making Markets work for the Poor (M4P), value chain development or industrial strategy, argue that poverty can only be reduced sustainably through improvement of the market systems within which poor people must live. Markets are the main means through which people
- [Why Business Environment Reform](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/rationale-for-ber/) - A) General rationale for Business Environment Reform The business environment can be defined as a complex of policy, legal, institutional, and regulatory conditions that govern business activities. It is a sub-set of the investment climate and includes the administration and enforcement mechanisms established to implement government policy, as well as the institutional arrangements that influence
- [Donor support to partner companies changes their behaviour](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/ppp-changes-firm-behaviour/) - Several reviews and evaluations of donor grants or loan guarantees to businesses find positive impacts on new investments and adoption of new business models. For example, Poulton and Macartney (2011) find indications that partnerships can respond to market faillures and encourage private investment in poorly functioning agricultural value chains. However, the authors note that this
- [Firms change behaviour when market failures have been addressed](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firms-change-behaviour-when-market-failures-have-been-addressed/) - Business development services include access to finance, technology, management training, and skills development for workers, among others. Section 1 focuses on programmes that provided direct subsidies to such activities; Section 2 looks at evidence from programmes that seek to upgrade value chains or develop whole market systems, often by creating economic incentives for market players
- [Firms start up when donors address market failures](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firms-start-up-when-donors-address-market-failures/) - Impact of business training programmes on business start-up or registration There is some evidence that well designed training can lead to modest increases in business start-ups but little robust evidence is available: A review of impact evaluations of business training by McKenzie and Woodruff (2012) note that few statistically sound studies exist. In addition, the majority
- [Business Environment Reform leads to new firms being started or registered](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/business-environment-reform-leads-to-new-firms-being-started-or-registered-2/) - Reforms which make it cheaper and easier to register a business have been widely implemented in the past decade – partly motivated by findings that lower barriers to business entry (proxied by the number of procedures to start a business as well as other indicators) are correlated to higher percentages of firm registration and entry
- [Business Environment Reform changes firms' behaviour](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/business-environment-reform-changes-firms-behaviour/) - Some research demonstrates a positive relationship between legal and regulatory reform and private investment. Okey (2011) shows that positive changes in the business environment in line with the World Bank Doing Business (DB) indicators tend to be statistically significantly correlated with small increases in private investment, FDI, and domestic credit to the private sector. The
- [Behavioural changes or increased investment by donor-supported companies leads to new firms being started or registered](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/public-private-partnership-leads-to-new-firms-being-started-or-registered/) - Donor programmes often share the use grants and technical assistance to encourage a firms to change their behaviour – by adapting their business model to be more inclusive, or expanding into new markets. Once this has happened, other firms may start up as a result – for example to copy the business model pioneered by a
- [Firm creation and registration lead to higher productivity/ revenues](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firm-creation-and-registration-lead-to-higher-productivity/) - The impact of formalisation on firm productivity and revenue Formal businesses are more productive than informal ones, but additional studies controlling for self-selection of more productive firms into formality would be helpful to further clarify the link between business registration reform, productivity and revenues. De Vries (2010), using a data set of 11,000 firms in
- [Changes in firm behaviour or investment lead to better or cheaper products or services for the poor](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/changes-in-firm-behaviour-lead-to-better-cheaper-services/) - The evidence on this page shows that value chain and market systems development interventions, as well as private sector engagement programmes, have been effective in creating incentives for businesses to provide access to products and services for small businesses or farmers. Improved service provision to the poor as a result of sustainability certification One study
- [Firms changing behaviour leads to higher productivity/ revenues](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firms-change-behaviour-then-become-more-productive/) - Contents ToggleFirms increase productivity as a result of a conducive business environmentFirms increase productivity following business management trainingFarmers increase productivity following agricultural value chain development interventionsFarmer training and related activitiesOrganic, Fair Trade and other sustainability certificationFirms increase profits as a result of cluster developmentFirms/farmers increase productivity due to innovative technology Firms increase productivity as a
- [Access to products and services enhances productivity and revenues](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/access-to-services-enhances-productivity-revenues/) - Note that this page focuses on products and services that are delivered in a lasting and sustainable manner by the private sector, rather than the short-term provision of products and services by donor and government programmes. In addition, the role of publicly-funded road infrastructure for productivity is considered. Productivity/ revenues increase following business or market
- [Increased productivity creates economic growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/increased-productivity-creates-economic-growth/) - Increases in productivity allow firms to produce greater output for the same level of input, earn higher revenues, and ultimately generate higher Gross Domestic Product. The economy grows following business environment reform A cross-country study by Eifert (2009) finds that, in the year immediately following one or more ‘Doing Business’ regulatory reforms, investment rates of firms in relatively poor
- [Increased productivity / revenues lead to increased employment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/increased-productivity-revenues-employment/) - When firms increase revenues, they can afford to hire more staff and may wish to do so, in order to expand their businesses. On the other hand, in the short run, productivity increases may reduce employment (e.g. because new technologies reduce labour requirements). Employment increases after new businesses start up or formalise One evaluation tracked
- [Link between economic growth and employment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/link-between-employment-and-economic-growth/) - Empirical studies highlight that economic growth tends to be positively associated with job creation. Khan (2007) finds that employment elasticity of GDP growth in developing countries to be 0.7. At the global level, Kapsos (2005) finds that for every 1-percentage point of additional GDP growth, total employment has grown between 0.3 and 0.38 percentage points
- [Resources for partner businesses: Donor agency one-stop portals, partnership funds and facilities](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd-old/private-sector-engagement/mapping/) - Links to donor agency one-stop online portals on their offer to businesses Partners in Transformation: Online portal of the German Agency for Business and Economic Development Get.Invest – Team Europe one-stop access point for information about and facilitated access to European support and financing instruments for energy projects and companies in Africa RVO online portal
- [DCED member agencies and their PSD policies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-members-and-psd-policies/) - DCED member agencies and their PSD policies This page lists all active DCED member agencies and links to dedicated webpages outlining each agency’s PSD policies. PSD policies of other key agencies not currently engaged in the DCED are also hyperlinked at the bottom of this page.The main purpose of this page is to support agency
- [Private Sector Engagement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd-old/private-sector-engagement/) - Private Sector Engagement (PSE) refers to the interest of donors and others to work more strategically and systematically with business to meet the SDGs. The OECD has proposed a very broad definition of PSE as ‘an activity that aims to engage the private sector for development results, and involves the active participation of the private sector’
- [Growth raises income for the poor](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/growth-raises-income-for-the-poor/) - A number of cross-country studies confirm a positive correlation between per capita income growth and poverty reduction: Dollar and Kraay (2001) use panel data from 137 countries to estimate the relationship between GDP per capita (or average income) and the income per capita of the poorest fifth in society. They find that when average income
- [Increased productivity/ revenue leads to poverty reduction](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/increased-productivity-revenue-leads-to-poverty-reduction/) - Incomes/ welfare of poor people increases after value chain development interventions When firms increase profits, their owners and employees may be lifted out of poverty. A number of studies explicitly address the link between productivity/ income increases and poverty reduction as a result of value chain development interventions. New irrigation technologies can be central in
- [Job creation leads to poverty reduction](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/job-creation-leads-to-poverty-reduction/) - Most of the academic evidence available focuses on global studies of the relationship between employment and poverty reduction, rather than attributing poverty reduction to jobs created due to a donor-funded programme. Note that there is a sizable body of evidence though on how donor programmes have increased productivity and incomes of the poor (see here).
- [Evidence framework](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/) - The DCED Evidence Framework organises robust research on results in private sector development (PSD) based on the logic by which programmes typically expect to achieve pro-poor impacts. It is designed as a ‘clickable’ results chain that signposts key evidence for each step in the logic. Syntheses of available evidence on different types of PSD approaches are
- [Auditing the results measurement system](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/auditing-the-monitoring-system/) - For those programmes seriously engaged in monitoring their results, the DCED can organise the audit of the monitoring system. It may be possible to conduct the audit remotely, while travel restrictions are in place. Interested in having an audit? Find out more in the introductory video, audit pass notes, the FAQs and audit reports available
- [Business Environment Reform](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/business-environment-reform/) - The DCED defines the business environment as a complex of policy, legal, institutional, and regulatory conditions that govern business activities (DCED, 2008). It is a sub-set of the investment climate. Business environment reform (BER) aims to reduce the costs and risks of business activity by improving poor government policies, laws and regulations, and by stimulating
- [Consultancy support](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/consultancy-support/) - This page lists consultants who may be available to provide support to programmes working towards compliance with the Standard; each has been through a rigorous selection process, generally including an exam on the Standard, and contacting referees. We welcome new consultants interested in being featured in this page; click here for details on how to apply.
- [The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands](https://www.enterprise-development.org/the-ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-the-netherlands/) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (MoFA) oversees the Netherlands’ development cooperation.You can find the 2022 Policy Document for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation (“Do what we do best”) here. It outlines among other things how the Netherlands will invest more in the combination of foreign trade and development
- [Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/norwegian-agency-for-development-cooperation-norad/) - Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) is a directorate under the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA). Its vision is to achieve results in the fight against poverty. Its mission is ensuring the quality of development assistance, and its values are respect, integrity and creativity. It published a new strategy, Towards
- [Guidelines for implementing the Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-the-dced-standard/) - RESULTS MEASUREMENT Guidelines for implementing the Standard The DCED Standard is a practical seven-step framework for results measurement. It enables projects to monitor their progress towards their objectives and better measure changes, manage implementation, and demonstrate results.This page provides resources for practitioners, to support implementation. For advice to donors, please see the links below:Guiding programmes
- [Local Economic Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/local-economic-development-and-clusters/) - Local Economic Development (LED) is a strategy for promoting local economies as a way to fight poverty. LED programs often include elements of service market development and/or value chain development and vice versa. LED is a popular strategy for defined territories, such as urban areas and specific regions. Under the umbrella of LED, cluster development
- [Value Chain Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/value-chain-development/) - In the Private Sector Development community, ‘Value Chain Development’ (VCD) refers to an approach which takes a product or commodity as the basis for analysis; most often, the product is agriculture-based. Users of the approach analyse the whole trajectory for that product, from inputs through farming, harvesting, processing and transport, to sale to the consumer.
- [PSD in fragile and forced displacement contexts](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/fragility-forced-displacement/) - Conflict, violence and peace both shape and are shaped by the economy, access to and control over resources. Conversely, societies are more likely to prosper and be peaceful if people have fair access to livelihood opportunities and services. This page brings together key resources on the challenges and opportunities of private sector development (PSD) approaches
- [Digitalisation and PSD](https://www.enterprise-development.org/digitalisation-and-psd/) - Digitalisation is widely recognised as a key force shaping the future of the global economy. Recent experiences highlight both risks and opportunities for PSD practitioners: Uptake of digital applications worldwide has accelerated significantly in recent years, giving developing countries a new economic opportunities enabled by digital progress. Indeed, digital technology has already had a transformative development
- [Employment creation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/employment-creation/) - This page compiles key resources on employment creation through PSD programming, including youth employment. While employment creation in developing countries is high on the agenda of most donor agencies, there are different views on how to achieve it. Key insights include: In the medium term, labour-intensive light manufacturing industries, supported by a conducive investment climate,
- [Industrial Policy](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/industrial-policy/) - Industrial Policy is defined as the strategic effort by the state to encourage economic transformation, i.e. the shift from lower to higher productivity activities, between or within sectors. Specifically, industrial policy refers to “any type of selective government intervention or policy that attempts to alter the structure of production in favour of sectors [or activities] that are expected
- [Small Enterprise Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/small-enterprise-development/) - Over US$24.5 billion of development aid is targeted at Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) and donor interest is increasing, yet the development benefits of targeting small enterprises are controversial. This page explores the debates in more detail, and lists key resources on the topic. For more specific resources on adjusting SME development programmes in
- [Green PSD](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/green-growth/) - Many private sector development (PSD) programmes aim to achieve economic as well as environmental goals, including the mitigation of, and adaptation to, climate change, the reduction of pollutants, and a reversal of biodiversity loss and water scarcity. Meeting these needs can also be an opportunity for businesses in the developing world. This page compiles key
- [DCED Executive Committee](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/exco/) - DCED Executive Committee The Executive Committee (ExCo) functions as the board of the DCED, providing oversight of the thematic groups, as well as support and guidance to the DCED Secretariat in the implementation of the DCED’s work programme. The ExCo typically meets once a quarter and takes all decisions that are not reserved to the
- [Minutes of the Business Environment Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-business-environment-working-group/minutes-of-the-business-environment-working-group/) - Note that minutes of meetings earlier than 2015 are not included in this list. Business Environment Working Group (online meeting), 23 March 2026 Business Environment Working Group (online meeting), 1 December 2025 Business Environment Working Group (Geneva and online), June 2025 Business Environment Working Group (online meeting), November 2024 Business Environment Working Group (Washington, DC
- [Higher firm productivity leads to higher profitability](https://www.enterprise-development.org/higher-firm-productivity-leads-to-higher-profitability/) - Value Chain Development Interventions – including sustainability certification Oseni et. al (2014) in a study based on data from the Nigerian General Household Survey Panel find that a 10 percent increase in agricultural productivity lowers the likelihood of being poor by 2.5 to 3 percent. The centrality of productivity increases to profit increases for poor
- [Impact stories](https://www.enterprise-development.org/impact-stories/) - This page offers a collection of stories which illustrate the great potential of the private sector to improve the living conditions of the poor by creating jobs and income at scale (nominally more than 10,000 beneficiaries). Most stories are based on results that are self-reported and broadly credible. More submissions are welcome. For robust research and evidence
- [Private Sector Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/) - Implementing Private Sector Development Private Sector Development (PSD) is the range of strategies aiming to establish markets that function vibrantly and fairly, providing inclusive and resilient economic opportunities at scale. Knowledge pages on specific PSD approaches and themes can be accessed via the links below.For general overviews of PSD and current donor priorities, please refer
- [Evaluations of agencies' PSD work](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evaluations-of-agency-psd-work/) - Contents Portfolio evaluations of agencies’ PSD work Donor reports on development cooperation results, including PSD Thematic evaluations of agencies’ PSD work Agency policies and methodologies for monitoring and evaluation Portfolio evaluations of agencies’ PSD work Evaluation of Economic Development, Job Creation and Livelihoods, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, 2021 Evaluation de l’appui au secteur
- [Inclusive Business](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/inclusive-business/) - While exact definitions of inclusive business (IB) models vary, there is broad agreement that they integrate the poor as consumers, distributors, suppliers or employees. Many programmes engage with individual businesses to facilitate risky investments; others seek more systemic solutions, e.g. by promoting an enabling environment for inclusive business, or relying on market systems approaches to
- [Events](https://www.enterprise-development.org/events/) - DCED and other events DCED webinars All webinars, via the DCED’s external event portal, including past recordings Find out more DCED Annual Meetings Information on the DCED Annual Meetings for members Find out more DCED Global Seminars Information on Global Seminars for members and practitioners Find out more Training courses and events Upcoming non-DCED training courses
- [](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence/) - Evidence on 'what works' in Private Sector Development Why should Private Sector Development (PSD) be a core element of development strategies? Ultimately, the purpose of development aid is the ‘graduation’ from foreign assistance altogether. This is only possible where poor people earn a better living within their own economy, without the risk of depending on
- [DCED Synthesis Notes](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-synthesis-notes/) - DCED Synthesis Notes and Summaries In a hurry?This page provides shortcuts to all the DCED’s thematic synthesis documents on private sector development, offering concise overviews of approaches, debates, evidence, and lessons learnt.There are also links to short summaries of selected popular DCED publications. Private Sector DevelopmentResults MeasurementDigitalisationPrivate Sector EngagementWomen’s Economic EmpowermentIndustrial PolicySmall Enterprise Development Inclusive
- [PSD in a changing global aid context](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/psd-changing-global-aid-context/) - The context for traditional aid and development is rapidly changing with dramatic cuts to aid budgets, shifting aid priorities, widespread fragility, and increasingly unpredictable economic and trade policies globally. Beyond the reduction in financial support through traditional aid channels it is difficult to predict the precise impacts of these changes. There will be winners and
- [Minutes of the Market Systems Development Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-market-systems-development-working-group/minutes-market-systems-development-working-group/) - Minutes of Teleconference, 26 February 2026 Minutes of Teleconference, 24 November 2025 Minutes of Teleconference, 25 September 2025 Minutes of Teleconference, 16 June 2025 Minutes of Teleconference, 31 March 2025 Minutes of Teleconference, 11 February 2025 Minutes of Teleconference, 26 November 2024 Minutes of Teleconference, 4 September 2024 Minutes of Teleconference, 19 April 2024 Minutes
- [Introduction to the DCED Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/) - RESULTS MEASUREMENT Introduction to the DCED Standard ‘The quality of monitoring and evaluation is significantly and positively associated with project outcome’ (World Bank). The DCED Standard is a popular framework for enhancing the quality of monitoring, and ultimately of evaluation. It adds particular value when working in complex, rapidly changing environments. Introduction to the DCED
- [Irish Aid](https://www.enterprise-development.org/irish-aid/) - Irish Aid Irish Aid, the government’s international development programme, increasingly sees private sector development as a key pillar for reducing poverty and encouraging sustainable economic growth in developing countries. Its strategy emphasises creating stable investment environments, promoting trade links—especially with Africa—and attracting private capital for climate and social objectives. Private sector development (PSD) strategy and
- [European Commission](https://www.enterprise-development.org/european-commission/) - European Commission European Commission strategic resources related to PSD Global Gateway portalIn 2021, the European Commission and the EU High Representative launched the Global Gateway, a new European strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport sectors, while also strengthening health, education and research systems across the world. Global Gateway
- [Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisation-for-economic-cooperation-and-development/) - Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development The mission of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is to promote policies that will improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world. OECD uses its wealth of information on a broad range of topics to help governments foster prosperity and fight poverty through economic
- [WEE](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/wee/) - Women's Economic Empowerment Working Group Objectives Private sector development (PSD) represents a powerful way to address gender inequalities and to empower women economically and socially. At the same time, engaging women in productive employment is proven to have economy-wide benefits.The Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group (WEE WG) aims to harness the knowledge and experience of
- [United Nations Industrial Development Organization](https://www.enterprise-development.org/united-nations-industrial-development-organization/) - United Nations Industrial Development Organization The United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) is the specialised agency of the United Nations that promotes industrial development for poverty reduction, inclusive globalisation, and environmental sustainability. The mandate of UNIDO is to promote and accelerate sustainable industrial development in developing countries and economies in transition. The organisation draws on four
- [UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office](https://www.enterprise-development.org/uk-foreign-commonwealth-and-development-office/) - UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office FCDO leads the UK government’s diplomatic, development and consular work around the world.FCDO engages a cadre of Private Sector Development (PSD) Advisers in its headquarters and across its overseas network. The PSD Technical Competency Framework outlines advisers’ capabilities. DCED resources support and underpin many of these competencies. Relevant DCED links can
- [Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/swiss-sdc-and-seco/) - Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO)​ are two agencies within the Swiss Government engaged in overseas development. They collaborated to publish a Report on the Effectiveness of SDC and SECO (2017), focusing on employment and
- [Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency](https://www.enterprise-development.org/swedish-international-development-cooperation-agency/) - Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency The Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) is a Swedish government organisation under the Swedish Foreign Ministry that administers approximately half of Sweden’s development aid budget. The overall objective of Sweden’s development assistance is to ensure that people living in poverty can improve their living conditions. To carry out this assignment
- [International Development Research Centre](https://www.enterprise-development.org/international-development-research-centre/) - International Development Research Centre The International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is a Canadian Crown corporation established to help developing countries find solutions to their problems. IDRC’s mandate is “to initiate, encourage, support and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical and other knowledge to
- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark](https://www.enterprise-development.org/ministry-of-foreign-affairs-of-denmark/) - Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark Denmark has four strategic aims: Security; Migration; Inclusive, Sustainable Growth; and Freedom. These are outlined in more detail in The world we share: Denmark’s strategy for development cooperation (2021). Private sector development (PSD) policy and strategy Denmark works for sustainable and inclusive economic growth and employment creation. Inclusive growth is people-centred, creates
- [IKEA Foundation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/ikea-foundation/) - IKEA Foundation The IKEA Foundation is an independent philanthropy fighting global warming with and for the many people. Its goal is to accelerate long-term change in high-emitting systems with a direct impact on people’s lives, including: Energy; Land, Food and Forests; and Buildings and Transport. The Foundation works globally with a specific focus on emerging
- [Gatsby Africa](https://www.enterprise-development.org/gatsby-africa/) - Gatsby Africa Approach to Private Sector Development Gatsby Africa’s approach is founded on global insights, as well as experience from 30+ years of working in East Africa. These learnings have led us to believe that inclusive and sustained economic growth can be achieved if the following three criteria are met:Competitiveness: Firms compete in target markets
- [Luxembourg Development Cooperation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/luxembourg-development-cooperation/) - Luxembourg Development Cooperation The development cooperation of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg is characterised by its strong commitment to poverty reduction and humanitarian aid, and to effective work with its partner countries. In 2009, the Luxembourg government reached the quantitative goal it had set itself in the 2000s for the first time: to reach an
- [International Finance Corporation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/international-finance-corporation/) - International Finance Corporation The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), is the largest global development institution focused exclusively on the private sector. IFC helps developing countries achieve sustainable growth by financing investment, mobilising capital in international financial markets, and providing advisory services to businesses and governments. Private sector development (PSD) policy and
- [Japan International Cooperation Agency](https://www.enterprise-development.org/japan-international-cooperation-agency/) - Japan International Cooperation Agency JICA assists and supports developing countries as the executing agency of Japanese ODA.In accordance with its vision of “Inclusive and Dynamic Development,” JICA supports the resolution of issues of developing countries by using the most suitable tools of various assistance methods and a combined regional-, country- and issue-oriented approach.Since joining the
- [International Trade Centre](https://www.enterprise-development.org/international-trade-centre/) - International Trade Centre The International Trade Centre’s (ITC) is the joint agency of the WTO and the United Nations. Its mission is to foster sustainable economic development and contribute to achieving the Millennium Development Goals in developing countries and countries with economies in transition through trade and international business development. Private sector development (PSD) policy and strategy
- [International Labour Organisation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/international-labour-organisation/) - International Labour Organization The main aims of the ILO are to promote rights at work, encourage decent employment opportunities, enhance social protection and strengthen dialogue on work-related issues. Its unique tripartite structure gives an equal voice to workers, employers and governments to ensure that the views of the social partners are closely reflected in labour standards
- [Global Affairs Canada](https://www.enterprise-development.org/global-affairs-canada/) - Global Affairs Canada Global Affairs Canada is a Government of Canada department that helps define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment. Global Affairs Canada manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade, and provides consular support. The department also leads international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts, and contributes
- [Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland](https://www.enterprise-development.org/ministry-for-foreign-affairs-of-finland/) - Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland In 2021, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland published a Report on Development Policy Extending Across Parliamentary Terms, a guiding document that outlines the objectives and values of Finnish cooperation in the long run.More specifically, Finland’s development policy and cooperation has five priority areas: 1. Rights of women and girls, 2. Education, 3. Sustainable
- [Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/federal-ministry-for-economic-cooperation-and-development-bmz/) - Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) The Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) develops the guidelines and the fundamental concepts on which German development policy is based. German development policy is guided by the goal of improving living conditions for people in developing countries and emerging economies. BMZ works to move the world forward in
- [Food and Agriculture Organization](https://www.enterprise-development.org/food-and-agriculture-organization/) - Food and Agriculture Organization Achieving food security for all is at the heart of the Food and Agriculture Organisation’s efforts – to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. Its mandate is to improve nutrition, increase agricultural productivity, raise the standard of living in rural populations and contribute to
- [Austrian Development Cooperation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/austrian-development-cooperation/) - Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) forms part of Austrian foreign policy, with the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) as the operational unit of the ADC. ADC aims at reducing poverty, preserving the environment and promoting peace and human security in partner countries. Long-term programmes and projects of the ADC support self-help to ensure sustainable development. The ultimate
- [Argidius Foundation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/argidius-foundation/) - Argidius Foundation The Argidius Foundation is a Swiss-based charitable foundation. We are part of Porticus, a global philanthropic organisation which coordinates the philanthropic endeavours of the Brenninkmeijer family business owners. Strategy The world’s emerging economies do not generate enough formal jobs, leaving over a billion people in poverty. Too poor to be unemployed, those of working age typically engage
- [DCED Global Seminars](https://www.enterprise-development.org/about-the-dced/dced-global-seminars/) - Quick link: DCED 2026 Global Seminar The DCED, together with the BEAM Exchange – its knowledge platform on market systems development (MSD), has a track record in running Global Seminars bringing together donors and practitioners to learn about effective practice in private-sector development (PSD). This page signposts upcoming and past events (starting with the Global Seminar in
- [DCED Global Seminar 2026](https://www.enterprise-development.org/about-the-dced/dced-global-seminars/dced-global-seminar-2026/) - PSD at a crossroads: Navigating a shared way forward Nairobi, 16 – 18 June 2026 This event will be held in conjunction with the DCED Annual Meeting (for DCED member agencies only), 15 and 19 June. With generous support by: Overview and how to apply The DCED, together with the BEAM Exchange – its knowledge platform PSD at a crossroads: Navigating a shared way forward Nairobi, 16 – 18 June 2026 This event will be held in conjunction with the DCED Annual Meeting (for DCED member agencies only), 15 and 19 June. With generous support by: Overview and how to apply The DCED, together with the BEAM Exchange – its knowledge platform
- [Member Exchange and Learning](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/) - Member Exchange and Learning A core function of the DCED is to serve as a trusted forum for the exchange of practical experience and learning on effective practice in Private Sector Development (PSD) among its member agencies. DCED Members engage with the DCED in a variety of formats, including:Communities of Practice (formerly ‘Working Groups’): Communities
- [BER](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/ber/) - Business Environment Working Group Business Environment Working Group Objectives The DCED established the Business Environment Working Group (BEWG) in 2002 to share knowledge on donor-supported business environment reform (BER) in developing countries and to support good practice and new approaches. The Group helps agencies and their programme partners to position business environment reform (BER) effectively
- [PSE](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/pse/) - Private Sector Engagement Working Group Objectives Many donors aspire to have more equal, longer-term and strategic relationships with business in achieving inclusive economic outcomes in developing countries, complementing their traditional focus on bilateral work with governments. Increasingly, donors are also asked to engage with their own domestic companies to deliver mutual benefits for donor and
- [Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/results-measurement/) - Results Measurement Working Group Objectives Good results measurement is a priority for all members of the DCED, as it generates the evidence base to assess the effectiveness of private sector development and feedback into learning and adaptive management. The Results Measurement Working Group (RMWG) was therefore formed in 2008 to identify ways in which the
- [MSD](https://www.enterprise-development.org/member-exchange-and-learning/msd/) - Market Systems Development Working Group Objectives Market systems development (MSD) is a widely applicable approach to international development co-operation that aims to achieve effective, enduring and widespread results. It focuses on tackling the underlying causes of poor performance in the networks of public and private institutions that make up modern economic systems. Evidence suggests that,
- [DCED Global Seminar 2024](https://www.enterprise-development.org/about-the-dced/dced-global-seminar-2024/) - Systemic approaches for sustainable growth Nairobi, 1 – 3 October 2024, co-sponsored by Gatsby Africa and ILO The DCED, together with the BEAM Exchange – its knowledge platform on market systems development (MSD), has a track record in running Global Seminars to learn about effective practice in private-sector development (PSD), including in Nairobi (2018), Lusaka
- [](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/43-annual-meeting/) - DCED Annual Meeting, June 2021 Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Annual Meeting Business Session took place on-line on Thursday 10th June 2021 for members only; Minutes can be downloaded here. The face-to-face meeting was cancelled.
- [Introduction to the DCED](https://www.enterprise-development.org/about-the-dced/) - Creating Inclusive Economic Opportunities and Resilience in Developing Countries: Learning from Experience Businesses, large and small, generate the jobs and economic opportunities that enable people to live better lives. Private Sector Development (PSD) encompasses a range of strategies that aim to establish markets that function vibrantly and fairly, providing access to, and expanding economic opportunities
- [Introduction to the DCED](https://www.enterprise-development.org/intro-to-the-dced/) - Economic Opportunity for the Poor through the Private Sector: Learning from Experience Download 'About the DCED' as a PDF A definition: Private Sector Development is defined as the range of strategies that aim to establish markets that function vibrantly and fairly, providing economic opportunities of quality to poor people at scale. (DCED PSD Synthesis Note,
- [DCED Annual Meetings](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/) - The DCED holds Annual Meetings, open to current and potential members. Agendas and outcomes of recent meetings can be viewed below. The 48th Annual Meeting will be held on 15 and 19 June 2026 in Nairobi, Kenya, in conjunction with a DCED Global Seminar (16-18 June). Previous Annual Meetings 47th Annual Meeting: 16-19 June 2025:
- [Minutes of the Women's Economic Empowerment Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-womens-economic-empowerment-working-group/minutes-of-the-womens-economic-empowerment-working-group/) - Only the Minutes of meetings in the last five years are included here. Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group, Meeting Minutes, January 2026 Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group, Meeting Minutes, October 2025 Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group, Geneva, June 2025 (meeting report circulated to members via email) Women’s Economic Empowerment Working Group, Meeting Minutes, April 2025
- [Organisational structure](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/) - The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) is forum for funding and inter-governmental agencies for learning from practical experience about the most effective ways to fulfil the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by creating economic opportunities and jobs for the poor. It was established informally in 1979, when its first members met at a meeting convened by
- [Why and how to join DCED](https://www.enterprise-development.org/why-and-how-to-join-dced/) - Download 'Why and How to Join the DCED' as a pdf file The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED) is a forum for funding and inter-governmental agencies that aim to establish markets that function vibrantly and fairly, providing economic opportunities of quality to poor people at scale. It promotes original research and frank exchange on
- [Technical helpline for members](https://www.enterprise-development.org/technical-helpline-for-dced-members/) - In addition to accessing the resources on this website, DCED members are also invited to ask the DCED Secretariat directly for help and advice on specific PSD subjects or contacts. The Secretariat also presents the work of the DCED or knowledge on specific technical questions to members on request (on-line or in person). This includes
- [Contact us](https://www.enterprise-development.org/contact-us-2/)
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- [En français](https://www.enterprise-development.org/en-francais/) - Le Comité des Donateurs pour le Développement de l'Entreprise (CDDE) Le Comité des Donateurs pour le Développement de l'Entreprise est un group d'agences financières et intergouvernementales qui s'empoient à éradiquer de manière durable la pauvreté grâce au développement du "secteur privé" - les entreprises, petites et grandes qui génèrent la plus grande partie de l'emploi
- [En español](https://www.enterprise-development.org/en-espanol/) - El Comité de Donantes para el Desarrollo Empresarial (DCED por sus siglos en inglés) El CDDE agrupa a muchas de las agencias financiadoras e intergubernamentales que trabajan en el alivio sostenible de la pobreza mediante el desarrollo del ‘sector privado’, referido a aquellas pequeñas y medianas empresas que proveen la mayor parte del empleo y
- [Cookies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/cookies/) - This website uses cookies to improve the experience for visitors, and to measure our own performance, based on your interest. This page explains about cookies,how we use them and what to do if you don't want to store them on your computer. About cookies Most websites use cookies to improve user experience. They are used
- [DCED Research and Evidence Update - August 2019: Special Feature on Women's Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-research-evidence-update-september-2017-special-feature-womens-economic-empowerment/) - 1. Recent analyses show persistent gender gaps in the economic empowerment of women and men in the agricultural sector, across different countries. A study of the gender gap in agricultural productivity in Malawi (Journal of Development Studies, 2015) shows significant differences in labour and land productivity between men and women. Agricultural labour productivity is, on
- [DCED Synthesis Notes and Summaries](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-synthesis-notes-one-page-summaries-glance/) - In a hurry? This page provides short-cuts to all of DCED’s thematic synthesis documents on PSD, providing concise overviews of approaches, debates, evidence and lessons learnt. It also links to short summaries of selected popular DCED publications. Contents Private Sector Development Results Measurement Digitalisation Private Sector Engagement Women’s Economic Empowerment Industrial Policy Small Enterprise Development
- [DCED-BEAM Seminar, Nairobi, February 2018](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-beam-seminar-2018/) - The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development and the BEAM Exchange organised a two-day event featuring a lively interactive programme drawing on practical field experience. There were about 140 participants, including 27% staff of DCED member agencies. 73 participants filled in feedback forms; 85% of those reported that the event had fully met their expectations. A
- [Private Sector Development and COVID-19](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/) - This knowledge portal compiles ideas and information on how donor and development agencies can adjust their private sector development (PSD) interventions to mitigate the tragic social and economic impacts of the Coronavirus, and to stimulate economic recovery as well as resilience to future outbreaks. The portal is updated regularly. To share resources for featuring on
- [Technical helpline on PSD for DCED members](https://www.enterprise-development.org/psd-helpline-for-dced-members/) - In addition to accessing the resources on this website, DCED members may ask the DCED Secretariat directly for help and advice about specifical technical questions in PSD. The Secretariat can also put members in touch with relevant counterparts in other agencies or programmes. The Secretariat further presents the work of the DCED or knowledge on
- [Donor Committee for Enterprise Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/donor-committee-enterprise-development/) - The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development Learning from Experience The DCED is a forum for learning about the most effective ways to create economic opportunities for
- [Women's Economic Empowerment Webinar Library](https://www.enterprise-development.org/womens-economic-empowerment-webinar-library/) - This page brings together a selection of high-quality webinars from a range of sources to provide a learning hub on women’s economic empowerment (WEE). The webinars cover many different aspects of WEE and to help easily identify which webinar is best for you, the following key is used: Introductory: indicates a webinar provides a clear,
- [FCDO PSD Technical Competency Framework: Reading List PSD1](https://www.enterprise-development.org/fcdo-psd-competency-1/) - –Trial version for review, May 2021 — The UK FCDO’s 2020 Technical Competency Framework on Private Sector Development specified key competencies to guide PSD advisors’ recruitment and professional development (2023 version here); these pages signpost recommended reading structured according to the 2020 competencies. These pages have no official status and are offered by the DCED
- [FCDO PSD Technical Competency Framework: Reading List PSD4](https://www.enterprise-development.org/fcdo-psd-competency-4/) - –Trial version for review, May 2021 — The UK FCDO’s 2020 Technical Competency Framework on Private Sector Development specified key competencies to guide PSD advisors’ recruitment and professional development (2023 version here); these pages signpost recommended reading structured according to the 2020 competencies. These pages have no official status and are offered by the DCED
- [FCDO PSD Technical Competency Framework](https://www.enterprise-development.org/fcdo-psd-competency-framework-overview/) - — Example pages built around the previous version of the TCF, 2021 — The UK FCDO’s Technical Competency Framework on Private Sector Development (current version November 2022 here) specifies key competencies to guide PSD advisors’ recruitment and professional development; these pages signpost recommended reading structured according to the previous competencies. These pages have no official
- [FCDO PSD Technical Competency Framework: Reading List PSD2](https://www.enterprise-development.org/fcdo-psd-competency-2/) - –Trial version for review, May 2021 — The UK FCDO’s 2020 Technical Competency Framework on Private Sector Development specified key competencies to guide PSD advisors’ recruitment and professional development (2023 version here); these pages signpost recommended reading structured according to the 2020 competencies. These pages have no official status and are offered by the DCED
- [FCDO PSD Technical Competency Framework: Reading List PSD5](https://www.enterprise-development.org/fcdo-psd-competency-5/) - –Trial version for review, May 2021 — The UK FCDO’s 2020 Technical Competency Framework on Private Sector Development specified key competencies to guide PSD advisors’ recruitment and professional development (2023 version here); these pages signpost recommended reading structured according to the 2020 competencies. These pages have no official status and are offered by the DCED
- [WEE Gateway](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/) - Women's Economic Empowerment Welcome to the Women's Economic Empowerment Gateway The place to help you find the right resources to increase your knowledge about implementing private sector development (PSD) programmes in a gender-sensitive way to promote women’s economic empowerment (WEE). Let's get started! What can we help you with? I want to better understand the
- [Working Groups](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/) - Working Groups are a key setting through which DCED members improve the effectiveness of interventions in Private Sector Development. Working Groups conduct research together, exchange experiences, and develop practical guidance on good practice. Guidance, achievements and Minutes are available from the links below. Market Systems Development (MSD) Working Group This Working Group also supervises the BEAM
- [2016 Global Seminar on Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/bangkok2016/) - You can view the 2012 DCED Global Seminar page here and the 2014 Seminar page here. The DCED Standard for Results Measurement has gained wide acceptance as a framework for monitoring effectiveness in real time; it is now in use by many development programmes around the world. Every two years, the DCED hosts a Global
- [Overview of the Business Environment Working Group (BEWG)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-business-environment-working-group/) - Objectives of the Working Group The DCED established the Business Environment Working Group (BEWG) in 2002 to share knowledge on donor-supported business environment reform (BER) in developing countries and to support good practice and new approaches. The Group helps agencies and their programme partners to effectively position business environment reform as a part of an
- [The most popular DCED downloads](https://www.enterprise-development.org/donor-committee-enterprise-development/popular-dced-resources/) - 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
- [Minutes of the Working Group on Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-results-measurement-working-group/minutes-of-the-working-group-on-results-measurement/) - Minutes of meeting, June 2025 Minutes of teleconference, March 2025 Minutes of meeting, June 2024 Minutes of teleconference, April 2024 Minutes of teleconference, October 2023 Minutes of teleconference, June 2023 Minutes of teleconference, April 2023 Minutes of teleconference, October 2023 Minutes of Meeting, Vienna, June 2019 Minutes of teleconference, May 2019 Minutes of teleconference, February
- [Overview of the Green Growth Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-green-growth-working-group/) - Objectives of the Group As a long-term goal, the Green Growth Working Group (GGWG) aims to mainstream green and inclusive growth strategies in private sector development, while advocating for the importance of private sector development when implementing green and inclusive growth strategies in other areas of development cooperation. The other main goals are: To allow
- [Minutes of the Private Sector Engagement Working Group (PSE WG)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-private-sector-engagement-working-group/minutes-private-sector-engagement-working-group/) - DCED PSE Working Group, Geneva, Switzerland, 17 June 2025 DCED PSE Working Group Online Meeting, 25 February 2025 DCED PSE Working Group Online Meeting, 5 December 2024 DCED PSE Working Group Meeting, Washington, DC, 4 June 2024 DCED PSE Working Group Teleconference, 25 April 2024 DCED PSE Working Group Meeting, Berlin, Germany, 29 February and
- [Overview of the Results Measurement Working Group (RMWG)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-results-measurement-working-group/) - Objectives of the group Good results measurement is a priority for all members of the DCED. The RMWG was therefore formed in 2008, to identify ways in which the DCED can contribute meaningfully to improvement of practice on the ground, at scale. One element emerging in answer to this question was to codify good-practice monitoring,
- [Upcoming DCED events](https://www.enterprise-development.org/events/dced-events/) - This page lists lists training courses and other events in Private Sector Development by various organisations. Events organised by the DCED and its knowledge platform on the market systems development approach, the BEAM Exchange, are listed separately on the DCED’s events portal. Contents ToggleTraining and Events on Inclusion, including Women’s Economic Empowerment and Gender
- [DCED Annual Meeting, Geneva, 16-19 June 2025](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/47-annual-meeting/) - The DCED 2025 Annual Meeting took place in Geneva, Switzerland, 16-19 June, hosted by ITC, ILO, SDC and SECO. Schedule of meetings Monday 16 June: Working Group meetings Exchange with interested members on ‘Mobilising commercial finance and enterprise support services for SMEs‘, including next steps for the DCED (morning only, from 10:30-13:00 CET) A short
- [Overview of the Women's Economic Empowerment Working Group (WEEWG)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-of-the-womens-economic-empowerment-working-group/) - Click here for the DCED’s inter-agency knowledge page on WEE. WEE WG Members at the DCED 45th Annual Meeting in Geneva and online Objectives Private sector development represents a powerful way to address gender inequalities and empower women both economically and socially. At the same time, engaging women in productive employment can have economy-wide benefits.
- [Overview of the Private Sector Engagement Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-private-sector-engagement-working-group/) - Objectives of the Group Many donors aspire to have more equal, longer-term and strategic relationships with business in achieving results for the poor, complementing their traditional focus on bilateral work with governments. The aim of the Private Sector Engagement Working Group is to enhance the ability of donor agency staff to engage with business in
- [DCED Annual Meeting, Washington, DC, 3-6 June 2024](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/46-annual-meeting/) - The DCED 2024 Annual Meeting took place in Washington, DC, 3-6 June 2024, hosted by USAID, the World Bank and IFC. Full Minutes are available here. Working Groups met on 3 and 4 June. Minutes of individual WG meetings are being shared with WG members and on the respective WG webpages. The Thematic Day on
- [Case Studies and Examples](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/case-studies-and-examples/) - These case studies focus on the practical experiences of programmes working towards compliance with the DCED Standard. For a case study on the experience of a whole organisation, see: Introducing a global MRM System in an Implementing Organization: An Experience Report, Swisscontact 2021 (with an introductory interview here) The most recent case studies, arising from
- [DCED 2024 Annual Meeting: Key Take-Aways from the Thematic Day on The Future of PSD at the Nexus of Green and Digital Transformations](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/2024-thematic-day/) - The future of Private Sector Development (PSD) will be significantly shaped by climate change and the digitalisation of the global economy – involving both new challenges and opportunities. Below are our Top 8 take-aways for donor agencies from the recent DCED Annual Meeting on how to navigate the green and digital transitions. For more information
- [Gender equality vs equity](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/gender-equality-vs-equity/) - < Back to Introducing WEE Gender equality vs equity Part of the WEE Gateway Gender equity is the process of being fair to women and men according to their respective needs. To ensure fairness, strategies and measures are needed to compensate for women’s historical and social disadvantages that prevent women and men from otherwise operating
- [Global Affairs Canada](https://www.enterprise-development.org/agency-strategies-and-coordination/global-affairs-canada/) - Global Affairs Canada is a Government of Canada department that helps define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment. Global Affairs Canada manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade, and provides consular support. The department also leads international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts, and contributes to national security
- [Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)](https://www.enterprise-development.org/agency-strategies-and-coordination/australia/) - The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is the Australian government agency responsible for the design and delivery of the Australian aid program. In August 2023, Australia's International Development Policy was published, an update on the previous 2014 policy. This new policy is underpinned by a new performance and delivery framework, and a summary
- [DCED Annual Meeting, Geneva, Switzerland, June 2023](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/45-annual-meeting/) - The DCED Annual Meeting for 2023 took place 19-22 June, in Geneva, Switzerland. During the first two days, all Working Groups met to share member updates and discuss work items. The Thematic Day 21 June explored recent experiences on the theme of SMEs: The Missing Transforming Middle. The final day 22 June offered space for
- [Overview of the Market Systems Development (MSD) Working Group](https://www.enterprise-development.org/organisational-structure/working-groups/overview-market-systems-development-working-group/) - Aims of the Working Group The Working Group for Market Systems Development aims to curate, share and elaborate knowledge about the MSD approach, its use and its achievements; and to develop products, services and support for donors and implementers who are already using, or are interested to use, the MSD approach. The Group, formed in
- [Belgium Ministry of Foreign Affairs](https://www.enterprise-development.org/agency-strategies-and-coordination/belgium-mofa/) - Belgium’s Private Sector Development service was created in 2018 to provide direct support to MSMEs in developing countries, create a strong economic structure in which enterprises have access to finance, markets, technical and management support; and an enabling environment for the creation of sustainable employment. Private sector development (PSD) policy and strategy Belgium uses different
- [2012 DCED Seminar Interviews](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/bangkok2016/2012-global-seminar-trends-results-private-sector-development-bangkok/seminar-interviews/) - During the seminar 'Current Trends and Results in Private Sector Development (PSD)', 17-20 January 2012, a number of interviews were taken with selected participants and presenters. These interviews highlight some of the key issues arising from the seminar, and are intended to inform people who could not attend, and also encourage further discussion, including on
- [Adjusting PSD Interventions in the Short Term](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/adjusting-psd-short-term/) - This page reviews short-term adjustments of PSD programmes in response to COVID-19 (see also this summary note). Medium- to longer-term economic recovery strategies are explored here. Contents Adjusting Private Sector Engagement programmes Adjusting Small and Medium Enterprise Development programmes Adjusting Market Systems Development programmes Adjusting Business Environment Reform programmes Cross-cutting issues for funders and implementers:
- [Scaling the Financial Inclusion Pyramid in Egypt](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/scaling-the-financial-inclusion-pyramid-in-egypt/) - < Back to Case Studies Scaling the Financial Inclusion Pyramid in Egypt 2018 - 2020 Intervention AWEF undertook a financial sector mapping to identify the constraints to women’s access to, and use of, financial services while harnessing the power of digital financial services to drive female financial inclusion and economic empowerment.By making financial services more widely available and lowering costs and barriers to
- [Alliances Programme Georgia 2008-2021](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/alliances-programme-georgia-2008-2021/) - < Back to Case Studies Alliances Programme Georgia 2008 - 2022 Intervention Market Development programme using the MSD approach in dairy, sheep and beef value chains in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia Partners SDC, ADA and Mercy Corps Georgia Key Results Over 640,000 households have been impacted directly USD 32 million additional income generated for farmers
- [Case Studies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/case-studies/) - < Back to WEE Gateway homepage Case studies Part of the WEE Gateway Alliances Programme Georgia 2008 - 2022 Go to case study Market Development programme using the MSD approach in dairy, sheep and beef value chains in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia The Alliances programme is one of the very first interventions that has taken
- [Where should you start?](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/where-should-you-start/) - < Back to WEE Gateway homepage Where should you start? Part of the WEE Gateway To successfully and holistically integrate gender in private sector development programmes, a gender lens should be applied to programmes as well as organisations as a whole. From an organisational perspective, it is important that gender and women’s economic empowerment is integrated throughout
- [DCED 44th Annual Meeting, Cambridge, UK, June 2022](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/44-annual-meeting/) - The DCED Annual Meeting for 2022 took place 8-10 June, on-line and in Cambridge, UK. During the Annual Meeting, three Working Groups met to share member updates and discuss work items on their respective themes; you may find the minutes of those meetings on the Working Group webpages when they become available. The Thematic Day
- [Other results measurement resources](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/other-results-measuring-resources/) - Reviews of RM methodologies Can impact evaluations help deliver projects? World Bank, 2018 Generalization in the Tropics – Development Policy, Randomized Controlled Trials, and External Validity, World Bank Research Observer, 2018 Itad (2013) Review of M4P Evaluation Methods and Approaches DFID (2012) Review of the Use of Theory of Change in International Development, by
- [Employment vs entrepreneurship](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/employment-vs-entrepreneurship/) - < Back to Introducing WEE Employment vs entrepreneurship Part of the WEE Gateway While there is some overlap between the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs and employees, especially with regard to inequalities deriving directly from social norms, there are also challenges specific to being a women entrepreneur versus a women employee. Key challenges experienced by
- [How to measure WEE-related systemic change related to gender transformative programming?](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/how-to-measure-wee-related-systemic-change-related-to-gender-transformative-programming/) - < Back to Working towards gender transformative programming Measuring gender transformative systemic change in WEE Part of the WEE Gateway When designing and implementing a WEE initiative or program it is important to measure to what extent the program leads to systemic change, and is therefore gender transformative. To achieve transformational and sustainable change for
- [Working towards gender transformative programming](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/working-towards-gender-transformative-programming/) - < Back to Introducing WEE Working towards gender transformative programming Part of the WEE Gateway When donor and development agencies want to assess how gender is addressed in a programme, a gender equity continuum is often used. Such a continuum ranges from harmful gender inequity practices to programming that actively promotes gender equity. By understanding
- [Tips for including men in Women's Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/tips-for-including-men-in-womens-economic-empowerment/) - < Back to Introducing WEE Tips for including men in Women's Economic Empowerment Part of the WEE Gateway Gender equality cannot be achieved by working with women alone; men need to be engaged too. Plans for effective engagement of men and boys need to be included in WEE programmes as early as possible, both on
- [Business Environment Reform leads to increased turnover or profits](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/business-environment-reform-leads-to-increased-turnover-or-profits/) - Enthusiasm for reforming the business environment is based on the assumption that it will lead, at least in part, to increased turnover and/or profits for firms. USAID (2008) indeed finds that reforms to regulation are particularly effective in boosting the growth in income of industries dominated by small firms. The business environment also includes tariff
- [Introducing women’s economic empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/introducing-womens-economic-empowerment/) - < Back to WEE Gateway homepage Introducing Women’s Economic Empowerment Part of the WEE Gateway Defining Women's Economic Empowerment Women are economically empowered when they have access to resources and have the power and agency to make economic decisions about their resources. Access to resources includes: access to employment and decent work, access to land,
- [Waka Mere: Advancing Workplace Gender Equality](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/waka-mere/) - < Back to Case Studies Waka Mere: Advancing Workplace Gender Equality 2017 - 2019 Intervention From 2017 – 2019, the IFC ran the Waka Mere programme on the Solomon Islands, which focused on advancing workplace gender equality. In partnership with 15 large local companies, several interventions were implemented throughout the 2-year period. Solomon Airlines directed
- [Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project, Lebanon 2010 - 2014](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/regional-economic-empowerment-of-women-project/) - < Back to Case Studies Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project, Lebanon 2010 - 2014 Intervention The Regional Economic Empowerment of Women Project focused on promoting Women’s Economic Empowerment through value chain promotion in Jordan, Lebanon, The Palestinian Territories and Tunisia. It was part of EconoWin – a regional GIZ programme improving the conditions for
- [Resources Library](https://www.enterprise-development.org/weegateway/resources-library/) - < Back to WEE Gateway homepage Resources Library Part of the WEE Gateway Welcome to the WEE Gateway Resources Library! Click on the categories below to see relevant resources to help you integrate women’s economic empowerment into your work. Clicking on a resource will take you to a page detailing key takeaways from that resource.You
- [Map of projects applying the DCED Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/map-of-projects-applying-the-dced-standard/) - Around 150 projects in over 50 countries are currently using the framework of the DCED Standard for results measurement. Use of the Standard is generally on the initiative of the implementation team, although DCED member agencies may also express preference for the Standard in their calls for proposals. This interactive map has been created in
- [DCED 36th Annual Meeting](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/dced-36th-annual-meeting/) - The 2014 Annual Meeting was hosted by ILO, ITC and UNCTAD in Geneva, Switzerland, with co-sponsorship from Swiss SECO. Location: Geneva, Switzerland Date: Wednesday 9 to Thursday 10 July 2014 Key documents Full 2014 Annual Meeting agenda 2014 Annual Meeting minutes Overview As in the previous Annual Meeting, we dedicated one day (9 July)
- [Increased firm turnover and/or profits create economic growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/increased-firm-turnover-andor-profits-create-economic-growth/) - A cross-country study by Massa (2011) uses data from 64 countries between 1986 and 2009 to estimate the effect of Development Finance Institutions - which aim to help companies implement their investment plans - on macro-economic indicators. Massa finds that DFI investment has a significant and positive correlation with national economic growth. This is stronger
- [Toolkit for implementing the Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/toolkit-for-implementing-the-standard/) - This page introduces practical tools to use when implementing the DCED Standard. They build on a worked example of an Intervention Guide or Monitoring Plan, which can be downloaded here in .xlsx format. For a blank Intervention Guide, click here (also in .xlsx format). 1. What is the DCED Standard? (8 min) For more introductory material, click here. x
- [Firms change behaviour then increase productivity/ revenues](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firms-change-behaviour-then-increase-productivity-revenues/) - 1) Business Training Programmes Business training programmes have been widely implemented to encourage better management practices, often with the expectation that these would ultimately result in increased turnover or profits. While many studies find positive effects on profits, a World Bank literature review by McKenzie and Woodruff (2012) notes the lack of statistically powerful evaluations
- [Seminar agenda](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-beam-seminar-2018/seminar-agenda/) - Wednesday 21st February Session 1, 08:30 – 10:00 Welcome and opening walk through the agenda World cafe Logistics Coffee break, 10:00 - 10:30 Session 2, 10:30 – 12:00 Breakout 2.1: Urban Messiness: Income generation in cities Ben Taylor (Springfield Centre), Nathalie Gunsekera (Mercy Corps) Urban spaces present a unique context for a systemic approach to development. This
- [Firm investment or behaviour changes leads to new companies starting up](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/firm-investment-behaviour-changes-leads-to-new-companies/) - Donor programmes often share the use grants and technical assistance to encourage a firms to change their behaviour - by adapting their business model to be more inclusive, or expanding into new markets. Once this has happened, other firms may start up as a result - for example to copy the business model pioneered by a
- [DCED Webinar Measuring Women's Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/womens-economic-empowerment/dced-webinar-measuring-womens-economic-empowerment/) - In June 2014, the DCED organised a Webinar on Women's Economic Empowerment: Measuring Household Level Results in Practice. The webinar addressed questions such as: Why measure women's economic empowerment? and Why are household level indicators important for measuring changes in women's economic empowerment? in addition to providing practical advice for programmes attempting to measure women's
- [Improved/ cheaper access to products and services increases welfare of the poor](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/improved-cheaper-access-products-services-increases-welfare/) - There is some research focusing on the health impacts of inclusive business models in the health sector: An in-depth case study of for-profit mobile money platforms in Kenya (Business Call to Action, 2016) finds that mobile money technology has generated benefits to both inclusive businesses providing healthcare to the "bottom of the pyramid" (BoP) and
- [Agency Knowledge Portals, Statements and Funding Activities](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/agency-knowledge-portals-statements/) - This page lists knowledge portals, official statements and overall funding priorities related to COVID-19 by agencies active in the DCED. Contents Overviews of agency commitments and priorities Agency statements on their COVID-19 response Agency knowledge portals on COVID-19 Overviews of agency commitments and priorities ICAI: UK Aid Spending During COVID-19: Management of procurement through suppliers,
- [Socioeconomic Impacts and National Responses](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/socioeconomic-impacts-and-national-responses/) - This page compiles analyses of socioeconomic impacts and national crisis responses in developing countries of relevance to PSD programmes. Contents Economic and social impacts of COVID-19 Global and regional economic impact analyses Gender implications Labour markets and employment Country and sector studies National responses to COVID-19 Knowledge portals Economic and social impacts of COVID-19 Global
- [2014 DCED Global Seminar on Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/bangkok2016/dced-global-seminar-results-measurement-24-26-march-2014-bangkok/) - The second Global Seminar took place 24-26 March 2014, featuring the experiences of 10 field programmes that have used the DCED Standard for Results Measurement; it also looked at cross-cutting themes, such as what we have learned to date about the audit process, and the interface with evaluation. For the final report on the Seminar,
- [Promoting Economic Recovery and Resilience](https://www.enterprise-development.org/private-sector-development-and-covid-19/economic-recovery-and-resilience/) - This page focuses on medium- to longer-term economic recovery in the context of COVID-19 (see also this summary of donor strategies). Short-term adjustments of PSD programmes, are reviewed here. Contents Economic opportunities and focus areas for ‘building back better’ Five priority areas for PSD practitioners Integrating recovery objectives into PSE programming: Practical examples Lessons from
- [DCED 37th Annual Meeting](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/37-annual-meeting/) - The 2015 Annual Meeting was hosted by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Copenhagen. Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Date: Wednesday 17 to Thursday 18 June 2015 Annual meeting agenda Annual meeting minutes Wednesday 17 June: Exploration of the theme ‘megatrends in private sector development’ Private Sector Development (PSD) in developing countries will change enormously in the next
- [DCED Standard for Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-guidance/dced-standard-results-measurement/) - Practitioners are working in complex, rapidly changing environments. In order to 'get started', they have to come up with a working hypothesis: 'if we do x, then maybe y will follow, and then we hope to achieve z'. Clearly, that hypothesis will always be based on imperfect information and understanding; it is therefore particularly important
- [DCED 38th Annual Meeting, June 2016, Sweden](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/38-annual-meeting/) - The 2016 Annual Meeting was hosted by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida) at their training centre, the Sida Partnerships Forum, in Härnösand. You can view the final Minutes from the Annual Meeting here. Location: Härnösand, Sweden Date: Tuesday 14 to Thursday 16 June 2016 Wednesday, 15 June: Thematic Day The Thematic Day focused on Partnerships
- [United Nations Conference on Trade and Development UNCTAD](https://www.enterprise-development.org/agency-strategies-and-coordination/united-nations-conference-on-trade-and-development-unctad/) - The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) is the United Nations' focal point for trade and development, and for interrelated issues in the areas of finance, technology, investment and sustainable development. Its objective is to assist developing countries, especially the least developed countries, and countries with economies in transition, to integrate beneficially into the
- [Developing a Programme-Specific RM Manual](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/case-studies-and-examples/developing-a-programme-specific-rm-manual/) - Introduction: Why does each programme need an MRM manual? Experience has shown that the key challenge in monitoring and results measurement (MRM) is ensuring that it is fully integrated with program management. Only when MRM is integrated with management will information and analysis be fully utilised to improve program strategy and implementation. For this integration
- [When new firms are created or registered, more people are employed](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/when-new-firms-are-created-or-registered-more-people-are-employed/) - One evaluation tracked the results business registration reform programme on firm creation and through to employment, finding positive impacts in the industries targeted. Bruhn (2011) finds that the Mexican Rapid Business Opening System programme led to a 5% increase in the creation of new firms, exclusively because former wage earners opened businesses. For those unemployed or
- [Sample Size Calculator](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/sample-size-calculator/) - In order to successfully measure results, programme staff need to select appropriate sample sizes for surveys, often on a limited budget and without access to specialist expertise. The DCED's publication, Practical Advice for Selecting Sample Sizes, provides simple guidelines to help programmes make appropriate decisions. The calculator below accompanies the guidance by providing a simple,
- [Mastercard Foundation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/agency-strategies-and-coordination/mastercard-foundation/) - The MasterCard Foundation is an independent, global organization based in Toronto, Canada, with more than $7 billion in assets. Through collaboration with partner organizations in 46 countries, it is creating opportunities for all people to learn and prosper. The Foundation’s programs promote financial inclusion and advance youth learning, mostly in Africa. Established in 2006 through
- [DCED Annual Meeting, June 2020](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/42-annual-meeting/)
- [Business Development Services - DCED Guiding Principles](https://www.enterprise-development.org/dced-guidance/business-development-services-dced-guiding-principles/) - Guiding principles for donor intervention in business development services The BDS Working Group organised five Conferences between 1998 and 2000, leading to the publication of the Guiding Principles ("Blue Book") in 2001. That document can be downloaded from the links below, in eight languages. BDS Guiding Principles 2001 in English Other languages: BDS Guiding Principles
- [Building a Learning Culture - The Case of MDF in Fiji](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/case-studies-and-examples/building-a-learning-culture-mdf-fiji/) - The Foundation: A Learning Culture ‘A learning culture is a set of organizational values, conventions, processes, and practices that encourage individuals—and the organization as a whole—to increase knowledge, competence, and performance.’ (Seven Steps to Building a High Impact Learning Culture, Oracle Human Capital Management) Experience has shown that a learning culture is the foundation of
- [Changes in firms’ behaviour and rates of investment lead to economic growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/changes-in-firms-behaviour-and-rates-of-investment-lead-to-economic-growth/) - 1) Improvements to Infrastructure Dorosh et al. (2010) investigate the relationship between road connectivity and crop production in Sub-Saharan Africa. The authors find that agricultural production is highly correlated with proximity (as measured by travel time) to urban markets. Total crop production relative to potential production is 45% for areas within 4 hours travel time
- [DCED Annual Meeting, June 2019, Vienna](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/41-annual-meeting/) - Schedule of meetings Tuesday 11th June: Working Group meetings - Business Environment Working Group (all day): Agenda and Minutes - Private Sector Engagement Working Group (all day): Agenda and Minutes - Green Growth Working Group: Agenda and Minutes - Market Systems Development Working Group: Agenda and Minutes - Joint meeting MSD/BE WGs on Economic Transformation
- [DCED 40th Annual Meeting, June 2018, Toronto](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/40-annual-meeting/) - Schedule of meetings Tuesday 5th June: Working Group meetings Business Environment Reform (BEWG): Agenda Results Measurement (RM): Agenda Private Sector Engagement (afternoon only) (PSE): Agenda Wednesday 6th June: Working Group meetings Private Sector Engagement (PSE): Agenda Market Systems Development (MSD): Agenda The Green Growth (GG) and Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Working Groups did not meet
- [Cost-effective results measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-the-dced-standard/cost-effective-results-measurement/) - Programmes using the DCED Standard for Results Measurement all face this challenge, and two shared their experiences in a webinar. This web page summarises some of the suggestions from the webinar – many more are available in the recording: Recommendation 1: Do less results measurement We often see programmes which collect more data than they need.
- [DCED Webinar Measuring Results in Challenge Funds](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-the-dced-standard/dced-webinar-measuring-results-challenge-funds/) - In January 2014, the DCED organised a Webinar on Measuring Results in Challenge Funds. The webinar addressed questions such as: Why measure the results of challenge funds? How can challenge funds measure their impact and learn from experience, while keeping results measurement costs proportional? What has been learnt from the results measurement experiences of recent
- [2012 Global Seminar: Trends and results in Private Sector Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/bangkok2016/2012-global-seminar-trends-results-private-sector-development-bangkok/) - This Seminar provided the opportunity for experienced practitioners to update themselves on current trends in the fast-moving field of Private Sector Development (PSD). In particular, it focused on what we are learning about results – since those are now so much in demand: how to work out the logic of the programme, how to
- [Comparing the DCED Evidence Framework and BEAM Exchange Evidence Map](https://www.enterprise-development.org/evidence-framework/comparing-dced-evidence-framework-beam-exchange-evidence-map/)
- [Introduction to the DCED Standard](https://www.enterprise-development.org/measuring-results-the-dced-standard/introduction-to-the-dced-standard/) - Private sector development aims to catalyse pro-poor change - usually with funds that are small in size, relative to the size of the overall market. Yet markets are in constant flux, meaning that PSD programmes need to understand in real time whether events are unfolding in the way that had been hoped (and if not,
- [DCED 39th Annual Meeting, June 2017, Rome](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/39-annual-meeting/) - Working Groups Day, Tuesday 13 June: Six Working Groups met during Tuesday; Minutes for those meetings can be found here. Thematic Day, Wednesday 14 June The Thematic Day focused on "Promoting the role of small food enterprises in the transformation of rural communities". The agenda was developed by FAO, who also published the final Workshop Report
- [Seminar on PSD in CAE, Copenhagen, November 2016](https://www.enterprise-development.org/implementing-psd/fragility-forced-displacement/seminar-psd-cae-copenhagen-2016/) - Overview A healthy private sector is crucial for poverty alleviation, the creation of jobs and the raising of incomes. This is true even in the adverse context of Conflict and Fragility Affected Environments (CFAEs). Supporting livelihoods is an effective way of supporting peace-building efforts. However, carrying out Private Sector Development (PSD) work in CFAEs also
- [DCED 35th Annual Meeting](https://www.enterprise-development.org/annual-meetings/dced-35th-annual-meeting/) - This Annual Meeting was hosted by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Location: Den Haag, Netherlands Date: Wednesday 3 to Thursday 4 July 2013 Key documents Full 2013 Annual Meeting agenda 2013 Annual Meeting minutes Presentations 3 July: North-South Institute: Models for Trade-Related Private Sector Partnerships for Development eBay: Partnering to Promote Trade-Increasing Global

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## Member Agencies

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- [Upcoming webinars](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/upcoming-webinars/)
- [COVID-19](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/covid-19/)
- [WEE Gateway Overview](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/article/)
- [WEE Gateway Completion](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/completion/)
- [WEE Gateway Evaluation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/evaluation/)
- [WEE Gateway Identification](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/identification/)
- [WEE Gateway Implementation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/implementation/)
- [WEE Gateway Planning](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/planning/)
- [WEE Gateway RL Introductory](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/introductory/)
- [WEE Gateway RL Practical](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/practical/)
- [WEE Gateway RL Evidence](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/evidence/)
- [WEE Gateway RL Case Studies](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/casestudies/)
- [Upcoming events](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/upcoming-events/)
- [Market Systems Development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/category/market-systems-development/)

## Tags

- [Green growth](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/green-growth/)
- [Business Environment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/business-environment/)
- [Women's Economic Empowerment](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/womens-economic-empowerment/)
- [Private Sector Engagement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/private-sector-engagement/)
- [Results Measurement](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/results-measurement/)
- [market systems development](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/market-systems-development/)
- [Employment Creation](https://www.enterprise-development.org/tag/employment-creation/)