The Enterprise Development Programme

Corporate partnerships

CORPORATE PARTNERSHIPS

Oxfam recognises the potential of the private sector in driving economic and social impact in the world’s poorest countries. That’s why we’re looking for innovative companies and brands to support our portfolio of businesses in developing countries as part of our pioneering Enterprise Development Programme (EDP), transforming people’s lives through the power of business.

WHY PARTNER WITH THE EDP?

By partnering with EDP you can gain insight and create and influence real change. We want to partner with companies who are working to support entrepreneurship, women’s empowerment and economic development in agricultural value chains.

Create change: According to the World Bank, creating successful and sustainable agricultural businesses is the most effective way to reduce extreme poverty. Your organisation’s expertise, experience and resources can make a real difference to the EDP’s businesses, helping farmers, entrepreneurs and communities to work their way out of poverty.

Gain Insight: Partnering with EDP is an opportunity to have direct interactions with smallholders and small and medium enterprises (SMEs), discover the challenges faced by these businesses, and together, further our understanding of how businesses can better incorporate smallholders and SMEs into their supply chains.

You and your team will benefit from direct interactions with inspiring entrepreneurs who have to overcome all the “usual” challenges of growing a business in addition to the specific barriers faced by smallholders and SMEs in agricultural communities

HOW TO PARTNER

The EDP offers a range of collaboration opportunities, co-designed with you to create the most meaningful impact. Partnerships can be built around the commodity, value chain, business model and geography most relevant for your company sustainability strategy.

Here are just some of the ways you can get involved today:

Becoming a strategic partner/sponsor – help us shape the commodities and communities that EDP is working with, driving even more impact for smallholder farmers, empowering women and creating new job opportunities. Grow your networks with fellow inspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders who are committed to sustainable development. Attend exclusive events and programme workshops, interactive updates, and meet with our Chair, Rajesh Agrawal (Deputy Mayor of London for Business).

Employee participation at workshops which target specific challenges faced by EDP businesses – for example, insight from SMEs in supply chains, smallholders and women, bringing you closer to key issues and trends in sustainability. This interchange of ideas with your employees can unlock new ways of approaching your own organisation’s challenges, as well as providing a unique insight into the design and implementation of development programmes.

Company twinning – Work specifically with a chosen EDP business throughout the year and see your direct and parallel impact. Senior managers can benefit from country visits to see the supported business in action and meet the inspiring people working their way out of poverty.

Talk to us about what’s right for your organisation, and we’ll work with you to design a partnership that supports your goals and strategy.

WHO SHOULD PARTNER?

We are looking for partners from all sectors of business. While our delivery focus is agriculture, food production and access to finance , we’re excited to partner with supporters from diverse backgrounds, not just organisations in the food sector or financial services. We’re currently supported from businesses across tech, professional services and academia who have said that a fresh perspective on areas they describe as “outside their comfort zone” leads to a stimulating, cross-pollination of ideas, enriching the approach and impact of EDP.

For more information about EDP partnership options, please contact Edward Thomas (ethomas1@oxfam.org.uk) who would love to hear from you. Edward would be happy to put you in touch with existing EDP supporters to hear why businesses choose to partner with Oxfam.

FIND OUT MORE

Contact our team to learn more about how you can get involved in Oxfam’s Enterprise Development Programme.

 

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