Social enterprises can benefit from new $48 million initiative

A recent initiative, lunched by consumer goods giant Unilever and the UK’s Department for International Development, has allocated £40 million ($48.3 million) to support social enterprises.

Known as TRANSFORM, the new program aims at improving health, livelihoods, environment, and well-being for people in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.

The program will provide social enterprises the resources, guidance, and money they need to make a positive impact in these areas.

Since it started operating in 2015, with a £10 million budget, TRANSFORM has supported 19 projects across 17 countries, benefiting over 250 thousand people.

The next phase of TRANSFORM aims to reach 100 million people by 2025. Through financial and business support for social enterprises and behavior-change interventions. The initiative will support market-based solutions that meet low-income household needs in developing countries.

Israeli companies in relevant fields with innovative approaches can seize this opportunity to gain funding for introducing products and services tailored to meet low-income household needs in developing countries.

The program is specifically relevant to the companies operating in the following sectors:

• Water – Supporting solutions that improve access to, and consumption of, safe water through brand reach, behavior change and technology.

• Sanitation & Hygiene – Developing sustainable sanitation solutions for the poor by improving marketing and demand creation.

• Rural Livelihoods – Working across rural value chains to test new business models and generate insights to improve rural lives and livelihoods through entrepreneurship.

• Health & Well-Being – Supporting digitally enabled businesses that address multiple health and well-being needs by promoting supply and demand, with a focus on women and youth.

• Energy & Environment – Supporting businesses that improve the environment, health, and livelihoods of low-income communities.

“We know that some of the best ideas and boldest actions are coming from entrepreneurs and start-ups,” said Clive Allison, Director of New Business Models at Unilever. “These disruptors are driving new innovations and business models to create the momentum the economy needs to transform itself.”