Newsletter 3 - February 2010
Dear reader,
The Emergia Institute is looking forward to an exciting year with new projects, events and collaborations, which we will introduce here as they mature.
In 2010, we plan to work more closely with like-minded organizations in other countries to offer learning opportunities to practitioners in the business and development field. The first event is coming up soon: company representatives are invited to join a study trip to the townships of South Africa. This is organized by the Confederation of Danish Industry in collaboration with FABCOS, a Johannesburg-based business association servicing primarily micro and small enterprises from townships. The trip will be from March 1 - 5. If you are interested, please contact Aline.
And now, enjoy a look back on the last five months at the Institute...
All the best, Aline, Christina and Genia
Content:
1. Institute
2. Research
3. Exchange
4. Consulting
5. Upcoming events
1. Institute
New German WIKI organizes knowledge on inclusive business
Along with our last publication with the same title, we launched the German WIKI "Entwicklungsgeschäfte". It currently comprises the content of the publication including links to existing resources. Over time, we will add more information, in particular on existing case studies, sectors and countries. Everyone is invited to contribute. Simply register and post your findings about inclusive businesses and markets at the base of the economic pyramid!
2. Research
Idea competitions with low-income consumers in Brazil
Idea competitions are an effective method to learn about consumers’ needs and invite them to create their own solutions. Together with the Research Centre for Design and Sustainability (NDS) and the Brazilian NGO Aliança Empreendedora, we have conducted idea competitions in low-income communities in Brazil. For this endeavour, the team received the "Brazilian Management Research Fund Award". We plan to implement this new format again between March and June 2010. If you would like more information, please contact Aline.
75 new UNDP case studies on inclusive businesses
We continue to support the case research program of UNDP’s Growing Inclusive Markets initiative. Altogether, 75 new cases will be published over the next several months. We helped design this research endeavour and coordinated its regional implementation in Eastern Europe, the CIS and Africa. In the coming months, we will be busy analyzing the case studies together with the UNDP team to better understand the actor networks around inclusive business models. >
Local governance solutions to climate change in China and India
Climate change mitigation requires the collaboration of actors from public, private and civil society sectors. In cooperation with Tsinghua and Beijing University, Genia Kostka and her team will explore existing governance solutions in the energy and transportation sectors in China. A parallel project is being carried out in India. In summer 2010, the research team will spend two months in rural China to interview company managers, local governments, and other key actors. >
3. Exchange
PlaNet Finance on the financing of microcredit
The Inclusive Business Brown Bag Lunches provide an informal forum for practitioners and researchers to share insights from their work. In November, the PlaNet Finance team put its findings on the financing of microfinance institutions up for discussion. >
4. Consulting
Training on developing inclusive business models
The UNDP Growing Sustainable Business (GSB) Initiative supports companies in finding ways to do business with low-income people. We trained private sector brokers on how to develop inclusive business models. This training is also available to other broker organizations upon request. >
Training on the systematic development of sustainable ventures
UNEP organized trainings for government officials and business representatives in Cambodia, the Laos and Vietnam. We developed the training based on the publication "Towards Triple Impact – Toolbox for Analyzing Sustainable Ventures in Developing Countries". A training manual is available on the website and trainings can be provided upon demand.
5. Upcoming Events
Brown Bag Lunch with GTZ in Berlin on March 19
We warmly invite you to join our third "Inclusive Business Brown Bag Lunch" in Berlin. Our host this time is GTZ. Project manager Jana Kern will provide first-hand insights from the public side of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP), using the example of Munich Re's engagement in Indonesia. If you would like to participate in the event, please contact Christina.
The role of governance for inclusive business models
On July 1 and 2, experts from development, business, public policy and academia will converge to discuss how governance can enable inclusive business models. Rule-making is needed on at least three levels: within the company, with consumers and producers, and on the political level. This dialogue is by invitation only. >