CBI presents highlights of 2023 results
The CBI annual report highlights the 2023 results. Last year, CBI supported 456 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in various countries and sectors via 43 projects. The projects helped companies become more sustainable and provided more job opportunities.
Transition towards inclusive and sustainable economies
CBI's mission is to support the transition towards inclusive and sustainable economies worldwide. We focus on SMEs that export value-added products and services to European and regional markets, that want to strengthen economic, social and environmental sustainability.
This resulted in a total export value of €299 million for the companies we supported. Sustainable products and services accounted for one-third of exports.
Also, we invested in further developing our knowledge and skills last year and we adapted and enhanced our working methods in:
- Sustainability;
- Inclusion;
- Monitoring; and
- Our systems approach.
In our activities, we focused on ensuring local ownership and scaling successful solutions to the broader sector.
On the other hand, the crisis in the Middle East and the unrest in several other countries in which we work affected the projects we carried out.
More jobs for women and youth
In our projects, we aim to support and increase job opportunities, especially for women and youth. In 2023, the companies we supported provided 28,641 FTE jobs. Women were employed in slightly more than half of the total FTEs. Also, almost 25% of the SMEs were led by women entrepreneurs.
CBI started many projects focusing on youth employment. The projects are becoming more inclusive, involving and consulting more young people. Of the total FTEs we supported in 2023, youth employment represented more than one-third and showed growth compared to 2022.
Market information
In 2023, we shared valuable market information with local SMEs. We published 202 market information studies, reaching almost 1.7 million page views. We also published new studies, sharing tips on how to go green and how to become more socially responsible.
Expanded partnerships
We continued to collaborate with business support organisations (BSOs) and other partners to promote more sustainable and inclusive sectors. Partners include:
- Governments;
- Trade promotion organisations;
- Export promotion agencies; and
- Sector associations.
Our collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC) progressed, leading to a parallel project for the IT sector in Senegal. Besides this, our collaboration with IPD and SIPPO within the European context continues under the Trade Promotion Collaboration (TPC) framework. This partnership has been expanded to include British, Belgian and Swedish organisations. Lastly, the Partners in Focus initiative helped us map our partner network in our target countries.
Digital and local first
We implemented our 'digital and local first' approach. Our goal is to reduce our annual CO2- emissions by 25% compared to 2019 levels. In 2023, we achieved a 33% reduction by flying less and travelling by train in Europe more often.
We also encourage the increased use of digital and hybrid tools and innovations in our projects. CBI's training portal, launched in 2023, provides access to e-learning courses for participating companies and CBI experts.
More information
View the CBI annual report 2023 (infographic).