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 announcedBusiness Partnership Facility - Enterprises for SDGs 2021B
The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) grants financial support to companies contributing to SDGs in developing countries.
Selection announcedBusiness Partnership Facility - Enterprises for SDGs 2020A
The Business Partnership Facility (BPF) grants financial support to companies contributing to SDGs in developing countries.
Selection announcedGrantees
Trias
Renewing and making more ecologically sustainable two small farmers' organisations in the Peruvian Andes, in order to give them access to the fair trade market and thus increase …
GeeK IMPACT SRL
Establishing an incubator in Kinshasa (DR Congo). An international team of experts will annually mentor 52 local start-ups and young companies, in order to develop new skills and…
MILUNA SARL
Organising farmers in South Ubangi (DR Congo) to grow coffee and cocoa in order to increase their income. The harvest is delivered to a coffee roasting plant and to a factory whe…
Events
Webinar – Business Partnership Facility – information about the open call for projects
Introductory webinar to the open call for projects ‘‘Business Partnership Facility – Enterprises for SDGs’.
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
IDeA Europe Foundation (Friends of Fund)
Philanthropists support projects of the IDeA Foundation, which contribute to the economic, social and cultural development of emerging countries, and particularly in Armenia.
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.
Press Releases
Business Partnership Facility: impact in developing countries by nurturing a culture of learning, innovation, and sustainability
The Business Parternship Facility initiative shows impact in developing countries, by promoting learning, innovation and sustainability.
Business Partnership Facility : grant support for social impact enterprises is ‘successful model’
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’
Eight business projects in the South that are contributing towards the Sustainable Development goals receive support from Business Partnership Facility ‘Enterprises for SDGs’.
Stories
Cleaning up farming in Benin and the rest of Africa
Business for development
To achieve that result, we had to convince farmers, because initially they were very hesitant to use the organic products.Today, they follow us, especially since they no longer have to wear protective clothing to avoid burns caused by the chemical products. BioPhyto products are better for their health and that of the population, which can now count on healthy and organic food. And that means great long-term progress for health, the environment and the economy."
Four founders explain how the Business Partnership Facility supports their sustainable businesses in Rwanda and Senegal
Business for development
“The relationship between funder and grantee is important,. Social entrepreneurs are passionate about what they do. Trust is critical in the sense of empowering implementers. I experienced that trust and that was empowering, the feeling that I have control to take decisions that I see are right for us.”
