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 2021B

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

Selection announced

Business Partnership Facility - Enterprises for SDGs 2020A

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

Selection announced

Grantees

I&Fentrepreneuriat

Incubation des projets de création d'entreprises des jeunes et renforcement de l'apprentissage au métier d'entrepreneurs au Kongo Central, RDC

Accompany young students from technical schools in food chemistry, at the end of secondary school, as well as students, in the creation of very small businesses in Kongo Central …

Solid

Landbouwtechnische, persoonlijke vorming & management opleiding voor ondernemende jongeren

Offer agricultural technical, personal and management training to enterprising young people to ensure that they are able to set up a successful business themselves and work towar…

Solid

Landbouwtechnische, persoonlijke vorming & management opleiding voor ondernemende jongeren

Offering agricultural, management and personal training to promising, enterprising young people in the Ayacuchan Andes (Peru) to avoid rural flights, to give them a better future…

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’.

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

01 02 2024

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’

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’.

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."
Gildas Zodomè
Founder Bio Phyto

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.”
Yvette Ishimwe
Founder Iriba Water Group Rwanda

Pure & Just: Sustainable growth, meaningful partnerships and economic empowerment

Business for development