Business development services

Overview

Business development services (BDS) encompass non-financial forms of support that enable business start-up, development and expansion. The ILO’s approach builds the capacity of business development services providers and networks of trainers to serve entrepreneurs in their communities. The approaches to rolling out BDS in contexts of forced displacement ultimately reflect the needs and realities of the target group.

PROSPECTS supported BDS providers and trainers to expand training and strengthen BDS services in refugee-hosting areas. It invested in building networks of BDS providers and enhancing government capacity for nationwide implementation.

• BDS providers
• Community-based organizations
• Refugee- and youth-led organizations (RYLOs)
• Government representatives (national)
• Government representatives (local)  
• Chambers of industry
• Chambers of commerce
• Cooperatives and social and solidarity economy enterprises (SSEs)
• Micro, small and medium-sized entreprises (MSMEs)
• Financial services providers
• Trainer and master trainers
• ILO technical specialist