Bpeace is a non-profit network of business professionals and entrepreneurs.

They offer pro-bono access to their expertise to entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries like Afghanistan, Rwanda and El Salvador.

They share a vision that employment for women and men is the bridge to education, poverty reduction, improved health, and ultimately less violence; and that jobs for women are vital to women’s advancement and to elevating their peaceful influence on society.

Mission           

Bpeace believes the path to peace is lined with jobs. They work with entrepreneurs in conflict-affected countries to scale their businesses, create significant employment for all, and expand the economic power of women.

More jobs mean less violence.

 

APPROACH

Through an intense competitive search process in each community, Bpeace selects motivated entrepreneurs with the business acumen to grow their businesses quickly and sustainably. They call these people Fast Runners.

Their small growing businesses (SGBs) are critical to creating employment for women and men and are the bridge to education, poverty reduction, improved health, and ultimately less violence.

The Bpeace Fast Runner program partners these intuitive businesspeople with Bpeace members who share their skills and knowledge. These volunteer business professionals and the Bpeace in-country staff, help Fast Runners grow their businesses quickly and sustainably through a proven process of individualized training, consultation, and advocacy.

The Fast Runner experience lasts three years – an unprecedented length of time in the nonprofit world. During that time, many Bpeace members travel to work with them side-by-side. Fast Runners also come to the U.S. to apprentice at American firms.

The scalable outcomes Fast Runners produce in their communities are well beyond the level of micro-finance, but typically under the radar of international investors. Bpeace steps in to prepare the top 10% of Fast Runners to be investment ready and makes introductions to facilitate strategic partnerships.

They significantly invest in them because when successful, the employment these Fast Runners generate sparks a multiplier effect that sustains thousands of families and boosts local purchasing power, which in turn lifts other businesses, creates even more employment, opens new markets and accelerates the community up the path to prosperity and peace.

 

IMPACT

Each job created by an Afghan or Rwandan entrepreneur supports 6-8 family members. When Bpeace helps just one Fast Runner strengthen her business, hundreds gain skills, education, hope.

 

Community Impact

• Our Fast Runners make 95% of their purchases from local vendors.
• 32% of vendors are women-owned businesses.
• 84% of Fast Runners pay business taxes, 43% paid more than last year.
• Fast runners employ 1,570 workers supporting 10,540 family members.

 

Jobs

• 54% of our Fast Runners maintained or increased their headcount in the most difficult economic conditions of 2009,
• Greatest job growth was among manufacturing jobs in Afghanistan and a beverage distributorship in Rwanda.

 

Sustainability

• 55% of the entrepreneurs who have participated with Bpeace since 2004 are still engaged with us and in business.
• 100% of them are generating income and 93% are self-sustaining.
• 54% maintained employment levels and 32% posted job growth.