MICROCAPITAL BRIEF: Sodexo, Bluedrop Learning, Global Impact Announce Commitments to Middle East, Women-Owned Small, Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) at 10th Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

The tenth annual meeting of the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of US-based nonprofit Clinton Foundation, is being held in the US city of New York from September 21-24, and has entertained new commitments as well as progress reports on earlier commitments to address global challenges [1][2]:

– USD 1 billion from Sodexo, a French provider of dining and other services to institutions in 80 countries, for its “Small Business, Big Impact” program to incorporate more small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operated by women in developing countries into the firm’s supply chain;

– Three years of training by Bluedrop Learning Network, a Canadian e-learning company, through its “Entrepreneurship and Workforce Resilience Program” to develop the business skills of 30,000 “vulnerable people” in Jordan;

– A Commitment to raise USD 1 million by Global Impact, a US-based nonprofit that raises funds for philanthropic organizations and campaigns, to build and manage the “Syrian Refugee and Resiliency Fund” to provide Syrian refugees with education, healthcare and economic development support.

Progress reports on commitments made during previous annual meetings included:

– Of USD 60 million that US-based nonprofit Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) and its partners committed in 2011 to support “high impact” businesses in Africa, Asia and Latin America over a 10-year period, GBF and partners have provided USD 20 million as of 2014;

– In 2007, the Energy and Research Institute (TERI), a nonprofit Indian research institute that focuses on efficient and sustainable uses of natural resources, committed to spend USD 9 million to expand solar-powered electricity to 1 billion people across Africa and Asia over a seven-year period. As of 2014, TERI has provided “affordable” clean energy to approximately 700,000 people through 200 solar micro-grids, 2,200 solar charging stations and 5,000 home solar stations.

CGI encourages its members to make specific commitments towards addressing global social, economic or environmental challenges. As of 2014, CGI members have made approximately 3,100 commitments, which reportedly have impacted the lives of 430 million people in approximately 180 countries.

By Nisha Koul, Research Associate

About Clinton Global Initiative (CGI): Clinton Global Initiative (CGI), an initiative of US-based nonprofit Clinton Foundation, was established in 2005 with the aim to bring together global leaders to alleviate poverty, create a cleaner environment and increase access to health care and education. The annual meetings of CGI, which are held in September by invitation only, bring together heads of state, Nobel laureates, corporate executives, directors of nonprofits, philanthropists and others to make public commitments to address global social, economic or environmental challenges. CGI members have made approximately 3,100 commitments, which have reportedly impacted the lives of 430 million people in approximately 180 countries as of 2014.

Sources and Additional Resources:

[1] Clinton Global initiative, 2014 Annual Meeting

[2] Information provided by the Clinton Global Initiative to MicroCapital, September 2014

MicroCapital Story, September 2014, Clinton Global Initiative Members Emphasize Empowering Women and Girls for Fifth Consecutive Year

MicroCapital Story, August 2014, 10th Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting, September 21-24, 2014, New York, USA

MicroCapital Story, October 2013, 9th Annual Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Participants Commit to Advancing 15,000 Women-owned Businesses by 2018

MicroCapital Story, September 2012, 8th Annual Clinton Global Initiative: Commitments to Financial Access, Global Citizen Awards Presented

MicroCapital Universe Profile, Clinton Global Initiative

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