Some people wait all year for Christmas, and others for their birthday. One of my favorite days will be observed soon. On June 27, the world will once again observe Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day.
As an organization which is seeking the end of extreme poverty in our lifetimes, this day holds special significance for World Vision. The vast majority of the people living in extreme poverty are themselves owners of micro-enterprises, defined as an entity with up to 10 employees. They own and run a small farm or business, which provides them and their families with the income they need. Unfortunately, these farms and businesses are not earning enough money since their owners’ incomes are so low that they are living in extreme poverty.
The way to end extreme poverty then, is quite straightforward — these micro-enterprises need to make a lot more money. World Vision’s THRIVE program addresses this challenge directly and holistically.
To “celebrate” Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day, we have recorded a series of interviews and discussions with our staff who focus on one important angle of growing a micro-enterprise — the capital needed to start and expand.
Enjoy this recording celebrating the Micro, Small and Medium-sized
Enterprises Day!
Click the image below
Save the date!
In about 480 days, on the 16th and 17th of October 2026, World Vision will hold the next THRIVE Forum in Chicago.
At that time, we will be about halfway through the THRIVE 2030 Business Plan. That will provide a very appropriate time to do a deep-dive review of our work. It will also be a great opportunity to bring new people to experience not only the vision, but also some of the key components of THRIVE.
More details will be coming about the expected program and the venue.
Did you know?
According to the World Bank:
600 million jobs will be needed by 2030 to absorb the growing global workforce, which makes Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) development a high priority for many governments around the world.
In emerging markets, most formal jobs are generated by SMEs, which create 7 out of 10 jobs.
Access to finance is disproportionately difficult for smaller firms in the least developed countries (LDCs), with 41 percent of SMEs in LDCs reporting access to finance as a major constraint to their growth and development, by comparison to 30 percent in middle-income countries (MICs) and only 15 percent in high-income countries (HICs).
Give to the Economic Empowerment Global Fund: THRIVE 2030 to help us reach 10 million people in 11 countries with the tools they need to lift themselves out of extreme poverty. Tools include Biblical Empowered Worldview, Savings for Transformation Groups, Local Value Chain Development, and FAST.
Praise God that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration experts are predicting “neutral” El Niño conditions for the foreseeable future. That means that weather forecasters have less predictive information, making upcoming weather patterns harder to predict. It also means that farmers can expect weather variability consistent with “normal” conditions, without the expected droughts or floods associated with an El Niño or La Niña event.
Pray for THRIVE staff in 11 countries to experience joy and excitement, as they continue to roll out the THRIVE 2030 Business Plan and see people lifting themselves out of extreme poverty.
Thank you for uniting with us in prayer and for your faithful partnership!
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