Business innovation for the SDGs

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are transforming how the public and private sector address inclusive and sustainable development. firms are taking an active role in this transformation and realigning their priorities with the SDGs. Innovative business models such as social enterprises and inclusive businesses are emerging, that purposefully aim to address social and environmental challenges as well as provide products and services to those at the base of the economic pyramid, and financiers are shifting from investing for profit to investing for impact. 

Government policies have played a key role in promoting these business innovations and to direct the private sector towards inclusive and sustainable development. For example, targeted government policies are emerging to enable businesses innovation for inclusive and sustainable development. However, more needs to be done, both by government and businesses, to pave the way for inclusive and sustainable development across the globe. 

Inclusive & Sustainable Business creates opportunities for those at the base of the economic pyramid

About this Community of Practice

A Community of Practice (CoP) is a group of people who share a common concern or interest and who come together to learn from each other and collaborate towards fulfilling both individual and group goals. 

The CoP on Inclusive & Sustainable Business supports policymakers and firms in understanding, developing, replicating, and scaling-up successful policy and private sector initiatives   promote business innovations towards inclusive and sustainable development. 

This Community of Practice will give you the opportunity to access, collaborate and exchange ideas and experiences with a community of like-minded people from the private and public sector that are passionate about inclusive business. 

Our Thematic Groups 

The CoP on Inclusive and Sustainable Business is divided into two thematic groups. Upon joining the Community, you will be directed towards the thematic group to which you are a member.  

CoP on the Green Transition of Businesses 

The Group on the Green Economy is convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) and the Agencia Presidencial De Cooperación Internacional de Colombia (APC-Colombia). The Group brings together policymakers from Latin America and Asia-Pacific to share effective practices in policymaking to enable business transition to the green economy – including policy measures relating to bio and circular economy, green transition of businesses, investments in the green economy, and private sector action towards a net-zero economy. 

CoP on Inclusive Business in Agriculture 

The Group on Inclusive Business in Agriculture is convened by the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), in collaboration with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Group brings together representatives from the public and private sectors to share effective practices to accelerate the adoption of inclusive business models and promote inclusive agricultural transformation including business innovation relating to Inclusive business in agriculture accreditation, financing inclusive business in agriculture, measuring impact of inclusive business in agriculture, marginalized groups, and especially women, in inclusive business in agriculture. 

We look forward to having you in our community!