Business for development

Support for entrepreneurs in the Global South and investors who commit to creating a positive impact.

In developing countries, the contribution of the private sector is indispensable to ensuring significant and sustainable change. In these countries, the King Baudouin Foundation supports local enterprises in their development projects and particularly those that contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The Foundation also closely monitors the development of Belgian impact investing – an area showing significant growth.

Our activities

  • as part of the Business Partnership Facility, conducted in partnership with the Belgian Directorate-General for Development Cooperation, we manage the ongoing call 'Enterprises for SDGs', which supports business projects in the Global South that contribute to sustainable development goals
  • we allocate loans and bank guarantees to economic actors in civil society, across various sectors
  • and we regularly conduct research among Belgian impact investors.

Business for development is part of the programme International

More info about our involvement with Africa on kbfafrica.org

Calls for projects

Business Partnership Facility - Enterprises for SDGs 2023B

The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) grants financial support to companies contributing to SDGs in developing countries.

Selection announced

Business Partnership Facility - Enterprises for SDGs 2023A

The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) grants financial support to companies contributing to SDGs in developing countries.

Selection announced

UBORA Prize 2023

To recognize companies in the DR Congo that have demonstrated excellence.

Selection announced

Grantees

Solarly

Solarly UP ! – energise Cameroon

Solarly UP! Solar energy and innovative financing solutions, including the diaspora, to boost the entrepreneurial spirit of rural women.

SOPRAL (SOCIETE DES PRODUITS ALIMENTAIRES)

Organic, sustainable, high-yielding vanilla resilient to climate change

Improve the sustainability of the vanilla value chain by leveraging technology and research to develop and disseminate eco-responsible and economically viable practices to produc…

Coco-Waste Hub Limited

Scaling up coconut waste processing

Develop the processing and recovery of coconut husk waste for the production of cocopeat, coir fibers and coconut shells, and thereby create sustainable jobs for women and young …

Events

Webinar – Business Partnership Facility – information about the open call for projects

13/01/2022 13:00 until 13/01/2022 14:00

Introductory webinar to the open call for projects ‘‘Business Partnership Facility – Enterprises for SDGs’.

Webinar – Business Partnership Facility – Information about the open call for projects - June 27

27/06/2023 13:00 until 27/06/2023 14:00

Introductory webinar to the open call for projects ‘‘Business Partnership Facility – Enterprises for SDGs 2023B".

Partnerships, missions, specific initiatives

Business Partnership Facility

The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) grants financial support to companies contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries.

Funds and philanthropic tools

OVO Acceleration fund (Fund Friends of)

Philanthropists support projects of OVO Acceleration fund asbl which supports social, economic and sustainable projects in Africa with social loans and adapted frameworks.

Ubora Prize

Promoting the performance of SMEs, their recognition and the application of environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards in DR Congo. In partnership with BIO.

Mare Nostrum Capital (Fund)

Encouraging inclusive finance and local entrepreneurship in developing countries through sustainable agriculture, fair trade and energy access projects

Press Releases

Business Partnership Facility : grant support for social impact enterprises is ‘successful model’

16 11 2021

According to an external mid-term evaluation of the Business Partnership Facility programme, financial support for social impact enterprises is ‘successful model’.

Eight business projects in the South receive support from Business Partnership Facility ‘Enterprises for SDGs’

19 08 2021

Eight business projects in the South that are contributing towards the Sustainable Development goals receive support from Business Partnership Facility ‘Enterprises for SDGs’.

Five enterprise projects in developing countries receive support from the Business Partnership Facility ‘Enterprises for SDGs’

26 07 2021

Stories

Nurturing young talent in DR Congo

Business for development

“I&F's support has really allowed me to sit down, plan, and structure a real company.”
Luc Maboti
entrepreneur, EMAVAS

‘It’s a win-win’: building a way out of poverty in disaster-hit Nepal

Business for development

“We are driven by the social, environmental and economic impact, but in the conversation with the potential entrepreneurs the focus is on how this is a good business.”
Andreas Kölling
Build Up Nepal