ABOUT US.
EDP and OXFAM
The Enterprise Development Programme (EDP) adopts an innovative approach to building sustainable businesses, combining elements of private equity and rural economic development. We invest where others don’t go – and where the potential for social impact is highest.
With your support, Oxfam provides an intelligent mix of loans and grants to small and medium enterprises throughout the developing world, helping people to work their way out of poverty. But it’s not just about providing capital. It’s about identifying business opportunities, and helping entrepreneurs develop and implement viable business plans. It’s a pioneering, business-based approach to development.
EDP is unique and it works. It combines Oxfam’s international presence and experience with the finance and expertise of our supporters and partners. It creates wealth and drives change in poor communities. Crucially, it helps many thousands of people – especially women – to work their way out of poverty.
EDP IN NUMBERS
Farmers
Nearly 27,000 farmers have benefited from their involvement with EDP and have seen their incomes increase.
About 11,000 farmers got involved as new suppliers or members of the cooperatives owing to the growth of the enterprises supported by EDP.
Women
The role of women continues to grow in EDP enterprises. Women now represent around 50% of staff and suppliers.
Our surveys in Honduras and Nepal show that higher participation from women is also delivering significant wider empowerment benefits.
Household income
Studies carried out in two of our investments show farmers’ household income increasing by:
40% in the APROALCE enterprise in Honduras and 60% in Pavrita’s seed business in Nepal.
THE BOARD
Each Board Member is crucial to the success of the programme, aiming to develop successful businesses in poor communities, which result in jobs and opportunities for all.
The Board has committed to work with the Programme Manager to develop the structure and shape of the Enterprise Development Programme, contributing personal expertise, as well as raising upwards of £6 million to deliver the programme (2016-2020).
Chair of the board
The Oxfam Team
Jo Heywood, Impact Investing Director. Jo has a ten-year impact investment career including investor relations and early-stage UK impact funds at Big Society Capital and supporting rural enterprises in emerging markets at Christian Aid. Prior to this she has a ten-year fundraising career for UK charities, in international development, medical research and the arts. Jo also has experience with social enterprise start-ups in Peru and the UK, most recently Infolatinos which supports Latin Americans settling in the UK.
Jo is also a Churchill and School for Social Entrepreneurs Fellow, sits on the social investment panel for the Postcode Innovation Trust and on the advisory board of charity Refuaid.
Contact: ethomas1@oxfam.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)7876 445274
LinkedIn: abrarshahriyarmridha
Contact: ethomas1@oxfam.org.uk Tel: +44 (0)7876 445274
PORTFOLIO