Previous work

The WBCSD on Sustainable Livelihoods

The Sustainable Livelihoods project sought ways by which business could extend the benefits of the markets to serve people, address their needs and allow companies to develop their business sustainably and profitably. The project looked at:

Business Models

• To explore business models built on the basis of a "win-win business strategy / activity" that directly benefits the poor, as customers or as suppliers, and improves the bottom line performance of the company, whether through cost reduction or increased profit margins
• The publication titled Regional perspectives on "Sustainable Livelihoods and Business" ( 327 kb) presents the features and findings obtained in a series of regional dialogues on sustainable livelihoods. Organized in cooperation with the WBCSD's Regional Network and member companies based in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, the dialogues put special emphasis on taking into account different cultural and socio-economic contexts when doing business with the poor.

Framework Conditions

• Investigate the challenges and opportunities presented in the task of stimulating markets in developing countries, where they are often non-existent and where the rule of law does not always prevail
• Understand the context in which business operates in developing countries and the steps that are needed to create an enabling environment for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) to grow and contribute to wealth creation in poorer countries
• Explore the role and mechanisms of PPPs (partnerships between governmental institutions, civil society and private sector) in effectively reducing poverty, the harnessing of synergies between Official Development Assistance (ODA) and FDI, the constructive role that financial institutions can have in facilitating investment into pro-poor business initiatives

Pilot Projects

The project's conviction that business can benefit from doing business with the poor can only be truly validated as companies embark on developing tailored business models and business activities on the ground that put these ideas to the test. This will enable companies to:

• Adapt the generic principles of the business models to their specific business
• Make their own journey into sustainable livelihoods thinking and draw their own conclusions
• Test the success of such models
• Assess the potential for scaling and replicating

Communications and Engagement

• The WBCSD believes that this project unveils a new vision of sustainable, smart business and a farsighted perception of the role of business in the construction of prosperous and peaceful societies
• The success of pro-poor business strategies depends heavily on the ability of the private sector as a whole to undertake a change of mindset, away from the traditional attitude that excludes the poor from their radar screens and toward the inclusion of the needs of the poor as a core focus of their market and asset development strategies
• The motivations that drive business to serve the needs of the poor profitably must be clearly communicated and shared throughout the company, beyond the sustainable development experts

The project aimed to present this new vision in a lively and engaging way, so as to enthuse enthusiasm among those that can turn this vision into reality. As well as presenting the key findings of the sustainable development research in a report, the team produced interactive communication and learning material.

Highlights of outputs:

• Business for Development ( 1.1 MB)
  
  This publication was launched in September 2005 at a dialogue on the business contribution to development in parallel with the United Nations’ World Summit. It makes the business case for sustainable development by illustrating how the private sector is taking an active role in the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. Singling out framework conditions as the most important factor affecting business investment, the publication strongly advocates focusing investment on a strong regulatory and legal framework, building the capabilities of local enterprises, and improving core infrastructure.
  

• The sustainable livelihoods experience - A video library
  
  Launched in the summer of 2005, the Sustainable Livelihoods Experience is an online video gallery showcasing the views of global business leaders on sustainable livelihoods business and how they are implementing this new inclusive business approach in their companies. The video gallery also features a variety of short video clips illustrating concrete examples of sustainable livelihoods businesses in the field.

• Online business guide to development actors
  
  This resource tool aims to introduce business managers to potential partners in the development community. It is a first port of call for managers interested in working with a development organization, but unsure of how to begin. The database contains profiles of not-for-profit organizations working in the field of sustainable development. A hard copy ( 1 MB) of this guide was published in October 2004.

• Finding capital for sustainable livelihoods businesses ( 560 kb)
  

  Published in July 2004, this guide focuses on how to source funding for a sustainable livelihoods business and aims to provide a blueprint for action. It will help managers decide when to raise capital in-house and when to seek external funds. It explores public-private partnerships, how to raise capital for local operational partners, and why securing this funding may be core to the company's success.

• Doing business with the poor: a field guide ( 1.5 MB)
  
  The Guide, which was published in March 2004, explores how several companies are starting to break into an untapped market of over four billion potential customers in ways that benefit both the poor and the company.

Download "A project in transition" ( 7 MB), a presentation on the WBCSD's move from Sustainable Livelihoods to the Development Focus Area

Highlights of two key events attended by the WBCSD Sustainable Livelihoods team:

"Eradicating Poverty through Profit" conference (San Francisco, December 2004) - The conference proved a real success with respect to mainstreaming the notion of Sustainable Livelihoods business, and creating momentum amongst key players in the development and business communities to get started.

World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, South Africa, 26 August - 4 September 2002) - Poverty reduction emerged as the central tenet of the Summit’s Implementation Plan. Business became incleasingly seen as a key solution provider, and the WBCSD’s Sustainable Livelihoods project went on to identify ways for business to bring goods and services to the poor that are affordable and can improve quality of life.