Partnerships
Collaborating for a cause
We empower those left behind in the system
At Villgro, we challenge the status quo and bring about a systemic change in society. Our partners collaborate with us knowing that together we can strive to alleviate poverty through entrepreneurship. We share our learnings, our tools, and our methodologies to strengthen the ecosystem and power ahead as a unified force against inequality prevalent in society.
CSO SEED Business and Investment Readiness Programme
6 Incubators | 36 Enterprises | 8 regions of BARMM
The Strengthening Civil Society Participation in Social Enterprise Education and Development Programme (CSO-SEED), a three-year program from the British Council, co-funded by the European Union aimed to improve civil society participation in policy reforms and develop an environment conducive to decent work, job creation and SME development. Villgro Philippines along with Asia Society for Social Improvement and Sustainable Transformation (ASSIST) partnered with CSO-SEED to lead the Business and Investment Readiness Programme, which is a capacity building program that specifically aims to develop a robust ecosystem by developing local incubators and supporting impact enterprises towards becoming investment ready.
Download CSO Seed Impact Report and read about the impact created by our CSO SEED Intermediaries and social enterprises, and how you can partner with them in Mindanao
The Programme
Six leading civil society organizations were selected as part of the program to be developed into social enterprise intermediaries (SEIs) in the BARMM (Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao). Through the 12-month engagement, each of the SEIs were inducted in best practices of incubation through a series of Learning Labs focused on selection and due diligence of enterprises, best practices of incubation such as diagnostic panels, mentoring, funding and development of business models and financial technical assistance. Subsequently, each of the SEIs developed incubation programs and selected 6 enterprises each to support. The programme culminated with the Demo Day where the 6 SEIs and the 36 enterprises showcased their progress to the partners.
Products from BARMM Social Enterprises
Our 36 enterprises develop and sell a variety of products and services – from artisanal fashion accessories, natural cosmetics, value-added food products like chilli paste, palapa, to printing services and virtual jobs.
Learning Labs and Demo Day
Our team of mentors worked closely with the Intermediaries and Enterprises to develop their business models and solve key barriers to their growth. Seen here at the CSO SEED Demo Day are (L to R): Priya Thachadi, Co-founder and CEO, Villgro Philippines; Jen Soriano Sabianan, Senior Programme Manager, British Council; Love Gregory Perez, Director, xchange; Rene Romulo, Business Consultant.
All 36 SEs took part in Learning Labs that focused on identifying key challenges and developing solutions through diagnostic panels and one-to-one mentoring and masterclasses on key topics like sales and marketing, customer segmentation, financial management, etc. After the Learning Labs, the intermediaries worked with the SEs one-on-one to develop business development plans, financial projections and connections to market and capital partners.
Angat Lahat sa Agri Business (ALAB), Powered by The Innovation Accelerator
2 Agribusinesses | 40+ Small-holder farmers.
The ALAB – Innovation Accelerator transforms the lives of small-holder farmers and their communities by supporting high-potential Agripreneurs that have a direct impact on them through their products and services. In partnership with Go Negosyo and Abboitiz Foundation, Villgro Philippines, will support agribusiness cooperatives across the Philippines in accelerating their business models, developing and testing their products in the market, and unlocking critical capital to scale their business.
The Pilot
Villgro and Go Negosyo kicked off the program in September 2019. In our pilot, we are thrilled to support two high-potential agribusinesses located in Benguet, and Baloi, Lanao Del Sur. These agribusinesses are building new models that directly impact small-holder farmers.
Innovation alone does not create social impact. We have to create culture.
Say hello, stay in touch
Once you’re part of the Villgro Philippines network, you are in a powerhouse of a groundbreaking, myth shattering, norm busting ecosystem of peers whose sole purpose is to move heaven and earth to create sustainable social impact.
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