Overview of Inclusive Business Approaches: Addressing Challenges Facing Poor and Vulnerable Communities
Inclusive innovation policies that target vulnerable groups across emerging countries as well as within specific regions/sectors of a country
Abstract
This rapid evidence review looks at reports issued by different development agencies, government bureaus and some academic publications – regarding inclusive innovation policies that target poor and vulnerable groups across emerging countries as well as within specific regions/sectors of a country. Some of the key findings gathered from different inclusive innovation policies from emerging countries include: the Prototypes of Social Innovation programme in Chile that has been launched to assist vulnerable communities and regions through the adoption of innovative solutions; The National Action Plan for Scientific Literacy programme in China that has been working to enhance innovation through advancing scientific literacy especially among poor/disadvantaged groups and lagging areas of the country; The Ideas for Change Programme in Colombia that has sought to find innovative solutions to different problems faced by vulnerable local communities in the energy and environment sector; The Productive Territories Programme in Mexico that assists the creation or scaling up of business opportunities for poor rural households; the Thuthuka programme in South Africa that aims to boost inclusive social innovation by funding researchers from vulnerable groups; The Spark Programme and Envoy System in China that supports the development of social innovation and entrepreneurship for rural/farming populations; The Royalties for Science, Technology and Innovation programme in Colombia that works to boost innovation and competitiveness in regions of the country with weak innovation; The Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development programme in India that promotes inclusive social innovation through financial support to microenterprises in poorer regions of the country; and the Special Economic Zones programme in Mexico that promotes inclusive innovation in the poorer southern regions of the country through fiscal incentives, trade facilitation and infrastructure development
K4D helpdesk reports provide summaries of current research, evidence and lessons learned. This report was commissioned by the UK Department for International Development.
Citation
Megersa, K. (2019). Overview of Inclusive Business Approaches: Addressing Challenges Facing Poor and Vulnerable Communities. K4D Helpdesk Report. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies.