Growing Inclusive Markets
Growing Inclusive Markets (GIM) is a new initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with an unprecedented coalition of thinkers and actors in the fields of business, academia and human development. We believe that in the race to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015, the greatest untapped resource is the private sector. Growing Inclusive Markets is designed to make a substantial contribution to both business strategies and human development by offering mapping tools and a strategy matrix, distilled from a broad pool of case studies.
“The power of poor people to benefit from market activity lies in their ability to participate in markets and take advantage of market opportunities.”
Kemal Dervis, Administrator, UNDP
REPORTS
Creating Value for All is the new and groundbreaking report by UNDP's Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative. The first report with such depth and local knowledge, Creating Value for All showcases 50 studies that demonstrate the successful pursuit of both revenues and social impact by a wide range of local and international companies. Read more…
CASE STUDIES
CocoTech > Philippines
CocoTech pioneered the application of bioengineering using cocofiber nets in slope protection and erosion control. CocoTech grew from a small community-based project with an initial capitalization of about US$7,000 and five employees in 1993 into a medium-sized enterprise of 25 employees with revenues exceeding US$300,000 in 2006 and more than 6,000 families involved in the manufacture of its products. Read more…
HEAT MAPS
Access to mobile phones in South Africa
Large portions of South Africa’s poor population lack access to mobile phones. In urban areas, 43% of households living on less than $2 a day have access, but only 31% in rural areas do. And access varies widely across regions. Cell phone penetration is strongest in the west and weakest in the central part of the country. Studying why access varies so much among regions and income groups could yield new opportunities to close access gaps. Read more…
COUNTRY INITIATIVES
All over the world, UNDP Country Offices are undertaking activities that contribute to grow inclusive markets. The launch of the Creating Value for All Report at the country level is one of them. The platform offered through this website is intended to facilitate experience sharing and create a community of practice around the topic of inclusive markets. Read more…
PRESS
The Economic Times, “Potential of the poor to power growth, private businesses”, 29 July 2008 - By Kemal Dervis & Jean-Michel Severino
For too long, private businesses have not been seen as key drivers of human development. Yet as the world becomes more interdependent, doing business with the poor can not only boost firms’ competitiveness, but also help in the fight against poverty. Read more…
ABOUT US
Learn more about the Growing Inclusive Markets Initiative, the challenges it strives to address, its objectives and guiding principles, as well as its research tools and its network of case writers across the developing world.
PARTNERS
Learn more about the Growing Inclusive Markets Advisory Board. This list of 21 well-known institutions - from development agencies to professional organizations and academic institutions - form the core of the GIM Initiative and one of its biggest assets.
STRATEGY MATRIX
The Strategy Matrix is a tool that provides easy access to the solutions applied in the case studies. The matrix can help entrepreneurs and analysts scan possible solutions to the constraints they face. Read more...