Inclusive Business

Build inclusive realities

We address social inclusion, informality and employability challenges by strengthening business activities with positive environmental impact.

We promote inclusive business models that tangibly improve the lives of people in situations of economic vulnerability. We work to generate entrepreneurship opportunities and decent employment in economic sectors where informality predominates. We help strengthen access to new markets, enhance negotiation capacity, and increase the generation of economic, social and environmental value by fostering the formalization and collective organization of economic activity through the creation of cooperatives, associations and networks.

We collaborate with and for multilateral organizations, companies, development agencies, governments and public administrations. We operate through a hybrid consulting and on-the-ground implementation model that covers the full project lifecycle, from ideation to implementation and monitoring.

In recent years, we have consolidated strong expertise in inclusive business models within the recycling sector, particularly in the context of municipal solid waste management, mainly in Latin America and North Africa. We have supported companies and public administrations in adopting inclusive circular economy models and in meeting their Extended Producer Responsibility commitments, especially in packaging- and container-intensive sectors.

Our experience and approach can be adapted to other sectors and geographies where labor and economic informality pose a challenge, offering scalable inclusive sourcing solutions for organizations seeking to adopt more responsible, resilient and inclusive practices throughout their value chains.

Our impact

Countries where we work

Since 2010

Economic activities supported in their formalization

Since 2017

Organisations we work with

Since 2010

Our approach

Proprietary methodology
We have developed and tested a modular methodology that flexibly adapts to the specific needs of each project.

On-the-ground collaboration
It facilitates connection with cultural realities and the achievement of objectives, helping us to materialise our hybrid consultancy and on-the-ground implementation model.

Business-driven
We generate real business opportunities to turn informality into sustainable economic opportunity.

Our services

Socioeconomic baseline

We establish a rigorous baseline of the situation of people in informal settings to help determine their number, how they organise themselves, their profile and their needs for advancing in the formalisation process. The result is a socio-economic profile and needs assessment, which serves as a starting point for designing plans to mitigate issues, include people and strengthen organisations.

Capacity-building

We design and deliver training programmes that strengthen the technical, administrative and personal capabilities of individuals working in informal settings. Our programmes focus particularly on entrepreneurship and employability skills. These programmes lead to improved technical and management competencies, as well as expanded economic and professional development opportunities.

Formalisation of economic activities

We support the creation and strengthening of organisations of people working informally, helping to formalise and sustain their economic activities and thereby contributing to their collective strength. We analyse local and national regulatory frameworks to facilitate registration processes and ensure legal compliance. The result is legally recognised organisations that are better equipped and have greater negotiation and advocacy capacity.

Advocacy & Public Policy

We support local administrations and other public bodies in developing regulatory and operational frameworks that integrate those working in the informal economy into the formal sector. We analyse existing policies, support regulatory design and bolster the technical and legislative capabilities of the relevant institutions. Our goal is to create public policies that recognise, include and improve the living and working conditions of those currently operating in the informal economy.

Value chain upgrading

We transform informal activities into sustainable business models. We support organisations of informal workers in integrating new stages of the value chain and accessing markets that were previously beyond their reach. We connect these organisations with private companies to develop inclusive sourcing pilot projects, including infrastructure investment through co-financing or microcredit schemes. The result is stronger organisations, new business opportunities and dignified, sustainable income generation.

Citizen awareness

In the recycling sector in particular, we design and implement awareness campaigns to improve waste separation at source and increase the visibility of waste pickers’ roles. Our aim is to engage citizens and the private sector in inclusive, efficient, socially recognised recycling value chains. We activate recycling incentive programmes, such as reward-based apps, and promote collection agreements with large waste generators and companies.