WB pushes PH for nano-entrep funding support

The World Bank (WB) and social enterprise institutions have called on the Philippine government to strengthen social protection, disaster preparedness, and digital and financial inclusion for women nano-entrepreneurs in Mindanao, citing their heightened vulnerability to external shocks such as natural disasters and economic crises.

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In a report titled “Resilience of Women Entrepreneurs in Mindanao and the Impact of Access to Finance and Digital Technologies,” published on Oct. 1, the WB, Ateneo Center for Social Entrepreneurship (ACSEnt), and Social Enterprise Development Partnerships Inc. (SEDPI) outlined targeted recommendations to help women-led nano-enterprises build long-term resilience and sustainability.

“By implementing these policy recommendations, the resilience and economic empowerment of women nano-entrepreneurs in Mindanao can be significantly enhanced, ensuring they have the tools and resources necessary to thrive in the face of external shocks,” the report said.

Nano-enterprises are very small-scale businesses, typically even smaller than micro-enterprises. They usually operate with minimal capital, few or no employees, and often rely on family labor. Examples of nano-entrepreneurs include street vendors, home-based food sellers, sari-sari store owners, and online resellers.