Small businesses are playing a powerful role in advancing sustainable development by creating jobs, supporting local communities and opening pathways to economic opportunity. Published in observance of Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, this story highlights how the United Nations is helping MSMEs overcome barriers and contribute to more inclusive, resilient and sustainable economies.
MSMEs account for around 90 percent of businesses worldwide, making them central to employment, innovation and local economic growth. However, many entrepreneurs continue to face challenges such as limited access to finance, skills gaps, digital exclusion, climate risks and difficulty entering larger markets. Supporting these businesses is therefore not only about enterprise growth but also about strengthening communities and accelerating progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.
One major area of UN support is expanding access to finance. In North Macedonia, UNDP is helping develop a regulatory framework for crowdfunding, creating new opportunities for entrepreneurs to connect with investors beyond traditional banking systems. By establishing clear rules, safeguards and investor protections, this approach aims to build trust in alternative financing and help small businesses test ideas, attract customers and grow.
The UN is also helping strengthen business ecosystems. In Colombia, UN agencies, government institutions and private-sector partners have supported more than 300 MSMEs with technical assistance, financial tools, digital transformation and circular economy initiatives. Some supported businesses increased average incomes by up to 54 percent, while rural women in the Raíces, Mujeres Sembradoras de Cambio initiative achieved major gains in income and savings.
Women-led businesses are another key focus. In The Gambia, the SheTrades Gambia Hub has helped more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs access training, mentorship, trade fairs and business services, contributing to over $3 million in business transactions. The initiative also supports gender-responsive procurement policies, helping create fairer access to markets and opportunities for women-owned enterprises.
Digital and financial skills are increasingly important for MSMEs. In the Philippines, the Digital PINAS joint programme supports entrepreneurs through mobile-based financial education and digital safety awareness. By delivering practical guidance through mobile phones and messaging platforms, the programme helps small business owners compare lending options, manage repayments and protect themselves from online risks.
In crisis-affected contexts, MSMEs are essential for recovery. In Syria, UN agencies are helping rebuild livelihoods through vocational training, microenterprise grants, infrastructure investment and agricultural value chain support. In 2025, more than 26,000 people benefited from income-generating activities, 585 MSMEs received grants and over 162,000 households accessed agricultural inputs and training.
These examples show that small businesses need different types of support at different stages of growth. Whether through finance, regulation, market access, digital skills, women’s economic empowerment or post-conflict recovery, UN-backed initiatives are helping MSMEs become engines of inclusive development. By strengthening the systems that allow entrepreneurs to succeed, countries can create jobs, foster innovation and build more sustainable economies.
