UN Helps Small Businesses in 3 Countries Boost Incomes 66%

Around the world, small business owners are getting the support they've needed for years, and the results are changing lives.

Micro, small, and medium businesses create most of the world's jobs and strengthen local communities. But too many entrepreneurs still can't access the money, skills, or connections they need to grow.

The United Nations is helping governments build better systems to support these businesses. In three countries, targeted programs are proving that the right help at the right time can unlock enormous potential.

In North Macedonia, getting startup funding has been nearly impossible for many entrepreneurs. Traditional banks often turn away new businesses, and venture capital remains out of reach.

Now UNDP is helping the government create rules for crowdfunding platforms. This means business owners can pitch ideas directly to everyday investors online, not just wealthy bankers.

Good crowdfunding does more than move money around. It helps entrepreneurs test products, build customer loyalty, and connect with people who believe in their success.

In Colombia, the UN partnered with government agencies and private companies to support over 300 small businesses. They received technical training, connections to larger supply chains, and access to seven new financial programs designed specifically for them.

Some businesses saw their incomes jump by 54%. Through one program called Raíces, rural women in farming regions increased their incomes by 66% and their savings by 72%.

These women also gained official certifications for their products and signed commercial agreements that will keep money flowing for years to come.

In the Gambia, women entrepreneurs faced a different challenge. Many had started successful businesses but couldn't break into bigger markets or networks dominated by men.

The SheTrades Gambia Hub trained and mentored over 1,000 women business owners. They connected women to trade fairs, business services, and buying opportunities.

Those connections have generated over $3 million in business transactions. Partners are also pushing for government purchasing policies that give women-owned businesses a fair shot at contracts.

The Ripple Effect

When small businesses succeed, entire communities benefit. New jobs appear. Local suppliers gain customers. Young people see paths forward that didn't exist before.

These programs show that entrepreneurs don't need handouts. They need functioning systems: clear rules for raising money, training that matches real market needs, and fair access to the networks that help businesses scale.

North Macedonia's crowdfunding framework creates trust in alternative financing. Colombia's ecosystem approach recognizes that businesses need multiple types of support at once. The Gambia's work proves that opening doors for women changes who gets to build wealth.

The 90% of businesses that are small and medium-sized employ most of the world's workers. When governments invest in helping them thrive, they're investing in resilient economies that work for more people.

These three countries are writing the playbook for what becomes possible when good business ideas meet the right support.

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