Business Level: GBI takes a 3-step approach to strengthening GBOs:
- Diagnosis. A pragmatic diagnosis of GBO’s operations identifies obstacles to growth and opportunities for improvements. The diagnosis focuses on GBO’s priority needs and also looks for partners to assist in capacity building and funding.
- Agreed Action Plan. An action plan is agreed with the leadership team of GBO, detailing operating, financial and social performance targets and the key milestones needed to reach those targets.
- Assistance Package. A combination of technical assistance and/or ‘patient capital’ funding (e.g., long-term, low-interest loans) is implemented, with funding provided as and when milestones in the action plan are met. To the extent possible, this package is delivered through local TA providers and in conjunction with local staff, particularly IFC’s Project Development Facilities and Private Enterprise Partnerships.
Catalytic Activities: GBI pursues broader activities in order to maximize its catalytic impact on the GBO sector. These efforts are grounded in the experience gained from working at the business level, and can take several forms, including:
- Replication and Scaling-Up.: Successful GBOs are encouraged to scale-up their activities as appropriate, and GBI promotes replications in other markets.
- Intermediaries and Associations. GBI supports intermediaries that reach multiple GBOs, including both financial (e.g., broadening the reach of micro-finance institutions) and non-financial (e.g., establishing export marketing centers for handicrafts) approaches. Local and international associations that assist GBOs (e.g., mentoring groups) are also encouraged.
- Sharing of Experience: As lessons are learned in working with GBOs, the GBI shares this experience with its clients and partners, in order to disseminate good practice in this sector.
