For-profit businesses offer more sustainable solutions to poverty

Despite growing evidence that social enterprises can be very effective in the fight against poverty, donor-led strategies still dominate and for many it’s hard to resist the inclination to “give” rather than support sustainable entrepreneurial endeavours.

As an extension of this, profit has strangely become a dirty word. But if solutions to poverty are to be sustainable, then profitable business practices must surely be part of the equation.

In this short video clip, Claire Barnhoorn of Solvoz argues that donors and NGOs should support entrepreneurial businesses, and allowing them to make a profit strengthens local economies and empowers communities.