Inclusive Business Models

Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth at the 'Base of the Pyramid' (BoP)

Project manager: Sarah Dekkiche (CSR Europe)                              

Project leaders: GDF Suez, IMS Entreprendre pour la Cité                         

Challenge

Globally, there are currently 3.7 billion people who have been excluded from formal markets.  BoP comprises of a population who earn an average income of $8 a day or less.  With an annual total income of US$2.3 trillion a year, BoP is a highly diversified, fast growing consumer market.  Currently it is made up of an underutilized productive sector with an untapped source of entrepreneurial energy.  Through businesses understanding and utilizing its potential, engaging BoP is increasingly recognized as a key driver for both human development and value creation for business.  There is scope to better understand, develop and maintain effective cross sector and multi-stakeholder approaches that partner with BoP groups in a mutually inclusive value chain.

Objectives

This collaborative project follows three main objectives:

  • EXCHANGE & LEARN: Serve as a platform for European knowledge exchange and networking between business and stakeholders involved in inclusive business models at the BoP programs across sectors.
  • ADVOCATE: Strengthen the dialogue at an EU level between public (development) policy and the role business can play.
  • INCUBATE: Accelerate progress towards more inclusive business models and to BoP knowledge by engaging various stakeholders at a European level.

The project will focus on four key areas; Defining strategy, understanding the market, Building business models and partnerships.  This will be achieved through three work streams; Exchange & learning; incubation and advocacy.

For more information see project plan. 

Main activities

  • 3 workshops on BoP experiences to take stock and critically review how business and stakeholder implement and successfully maintain business models and alleviate poverty in BoP markets.
  • High level roundtable meeting on BoP strategies with the European Commission towards policy recommendations on the future EU policy on business and development (2013).

Deliverables

The collaborative project will give rise to key reference documents:

  • Manual: practical analysis on shared challenges, solutions and lessons learned from BoP strategies
  • Advocacy  document/ Policy paper:  recommendations to the European Commission
  • Foster collaboration and incubation between companies and stakeholders for field projects
  • Best practice & business case compilation – to be integrated in (1) wiki tool; (2) CSR Europe online solutions’ database; (3) as a separate electronic publication

Key dates for your diaries

  • Incubation Session 1, 18th April 2012 (Barcelona)
  • Workshop 2 “Challenge and Opportunities”, 19th April 2012 (Barcelona)
  • Incubation Session  2, 4th June 2012 (Brussels)
  • Workshop 2 "Solutions and Recommendations", 5th June 2012 (Brussels)
  • EU Roundtable, October 2012 (tbd)
  • Incubation Session 3, 3rd October 2012 (Paris)
  • Workshop 3 "Impact and Measurement", 4th October 2012 (Paris)

Past activities

  • Project Webinar on the Base of the Pyramid, 20th October 2011. Download the presentation and the minutes.
  • Expert webinar on ‘Inclusive Business Models’, 8th March 2012. Download the presentation and the minutes.

Get involved and find out more information, contact Sarah Dekkiche (sd@csreurope.org).