Strengthening national capacities for enhancing MSME resilience
and building forward better to accelerate the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
in developing countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative
Reference
PDF-SDG-2021-01
Implementing Entity/ies
UNDESA
Collaborating Partners
ILO, ITC, UNCTAD, UNECA, UNESCAP, UNIDO and UNOSSC, Resident Coordinators¡¯ Offices and UN Country Teams in pilot countries
Duration
January 2022 to December 2024
Location
Cambodia, Ethiopia, Gambia, Kenya, Lao People¡¯s Democratic Republic, Madagascar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe
Approved Budget
$ 1,663,003
Description
The majority of businesses globally are micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), accounting for 90 per cent of business entities and two thirds of employment. They play a crucial role in achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs. However, the Covid-19 pandemic had a severe impact on MSMEs, leading to significant business failures and job losses. Unlike bigger enterprises, MSMEs often lack sufficient cash reserves to weather economic shocks such as that caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, the continuity of these businesses is at serious risk, jeopardizing the livelihoods of the working poor, women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
This project builds on the achievements of a previous MSME project funded by the 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund from 2017 to 2021. The goal is to enhance the capacity of policymakers to create and implement effective policies benefiting MSME entrepreneurs. In addition, the project seeks to raise awareness among MSME entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, about access to financial resources, high-value market opportunities and innovative techniques for improved economic and environmental sustainability. To achieve these goals, DESA plans to develop guidelines, toolkits and knowledge products and facilitate the sharing of experience and good practices through capacity building workshops, policy dialogues, technical training, and study tours. The Project will involve various stakeholders, including government authorities, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and research institutions. Ultimately, the project aims to strengthen MSME resilience, thus expanding their contribution to shared prosperity, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, sustainable production and consumption, reduced inequality, and enhanced cooperation among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.
This project builds on the achievements of a previous MSME project funded by the 2030 Agenda Sub-Fund from 2017 to 2021. The goal is to enhance the capacity of policymakers to create and implement effective policies benefiting MSME entrepreneurs. In addition, the project seeks to raise awareness among MSME entrepreneurs, particularly women and youth, about access to financial resources, high-value market opportunities and innovative techniques for improved economic and environmental sustainability. To achieve these goals, DESA plans to develop guidelines, toolkits and knowledge products and facilitate the sharing of experience and good practices through capacity building workshops, policy dialogues, technical training, and study tours. The Project will involve various stakeholders, including government authorities, development partners, the private sector, civil society, and research institutions. Ultimately, the project aims to strengthen MSME resilience, thus expanding their contribution to shared prosperity, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, sustainable production and consumption, reduced inequality, and enhanced cooperation among countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.