The goal of this course is to help development professionals to increase the impact, scale, and sustainability of initiatives that help small enterprises (SEs) grow, create jobs, and reduce poverty.
The approach promoted in this course is referred to here as “market development.”[1] It is based on over ten years’ experience from better-performing small enterprise development initiatives.[2] These programs develop value chains and business service markets, and are referred to here as “market development” programs.
The course includes four learning modules.These correspond to a step-by-step process for market development, from establishing goals through market exit, when a program leaves behind a strong, more sustainable market that channels increased benefits to the poor.
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[1] The term “market development’ is not widely recognized, but emerges from the coming together of several different strategies for supporting sustainable enterprise development, including the BDS approach. It will be further outlined in Module 1.
[2] As documented in Miehlbradt, Alexandra and Mary McVay, 2000-2006, BDS Reader, produced annually. Turin, Italy: International Labor Organization. Available in the course library or at www.bdsknowledge.org.