Describes the activities of Youth Business International (YBI) in aiding unemployed young people to become entrepreneurs.

Explores how finance and business development services for micro and small enterprises can be linked without jeopardizing the effectiveness of each service. Reviews examples of linked provision, examines the main costs and benefits for the actors involved and proposes a six-part typology of...

Reviews international best practice in the area of business development services (BDS) for small and medium-sized enterprises and assesses the potential for replication of some of the more promising approaches in Thailand. Includes the text of the ILO Recommendation concerning General Conditions...

Provides an overview of how small contractors finance the necessary construction equipment for public works contracts in developing countries. Describes various financial mechanisms available to these contractors, focusing on leasing schemes, and examines ways to identify local financial partners.

Examines policies and programmes that can assist young people in generating self-employment opportunities. Reviews the purpose, design and implementation of enterprise-based youth employment policies and investigates programme support measures such as skills training, business counselling,...

Reviews the evidence about the link between access to microfinance and women's empowerment.

Exmines entrepreneurship support programmes in developed countries in order to work out recommendations for developing countries. Identifies constraints facing entrepreneurs and discusses the characteristics of a successful microenterprise. Investigates performance criteria used to evaluate good...

The paper urges that Mozambique would need to develop a more competitive and inclusive financial system, address the failure of the market to make credit available for SMEs and farmers, and establish credit guarantee schemes to channel credit to priority sectors and disadvantaged groups.

Focuses on semi-formal microfinance organizations. Provides recommendations regarding the legal and regulatory environment, access to capital, capacity building, etc.

Based on a questionnaire survey of 30 banks and related financial institutions in Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho. Identifies the credit demand by micro and small enterprises versus the lending supply by banks and credit or donor institutions. Recommends provision of appropriate training...