EDSE Programme

Stakeholder engagement is an important pillar for the EDSE Programme, as it relates to energizing and strengthening the SMME ecosystem through policy regulation, red-tape reduction, and stimulating access to finance in sectors where entrepreneurs need it the most.

is pro-innovation, identifying gaps and collaborating with the SMME ecosystem to foster entrepreneurial development across various sectors in the country.

Do you think businesses can be "spoilt with too much capital?"

Martin Feinstein one of our key experts for SMME Development at the EDSE Programme comments on SA's needs to build a better, wider onramp for SMMEs to corporate supply chains. Read more from him below.

SA needs to build a better, wider onramp for SMMEs to corporate supply chains. EDSE Programme believes knowledge sharing and public-private collaboration is key to market access, capacity-building, revenue growth and sustainability for small businesses in South Africa.

We surveyed 29 research reports and case studies that revealed recurring issues in the practice of Enterprise and Supplier Development that are relevant to both the public and private sectors. These include the:

• lack of consistent, objective measurement of the impact of ESD – is private sector investment is supporting the right outcomes?;
• over-emphasis on compliance versus measurement of demonstrable small business growth support;
• potential for improved collaboration between public and private sectors;
• limited sharing of best practice between ESD professionals;
• lack of systemic SMME impact due to the disaggregated nature of ESD spend and effort.

Together let’s build a ‘Community of Practice’ so individuals with knowledge of effective enterprise and supplier development programmes can join forces to create, share, integrate and innovate for maximum impact for SMMEs.

If you work in an ESD programme, join us along with the Department of Small Business Development and the South African Supplier Diversity Council for workshops in April and May to discuss a Community of Practice approach to enterprise and supplier development. Details to follow.