OECD COP30 Virtual Pavilion

Unlocking community-based financing for clean energy and green small-scale enterprises in emerging markets

OnlineNov 14, 2025 | 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

Finance and investmentSMEs and sustainable business

Description

Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) are key drivers of economic growth, representing a significant majority of businesses worldwide and employing most of the workforce. Supporting clean energy for SMMEs is essential for reducing environmental impact and advancing a just energy transition through local engagement, income generation and job creation. Despite their potential, small enterprises face significant financing barriers – too large for microcredit yet too small for traditional loans requiring substantial guarantees. Women entrepreneurs are disproportionately affected, as they often own smaller businesses and face additional financial constraints. Overall, sustainable financing remains limited by persistent investment challenges, limited access to information and business development support, the informal nature of trade and gaps in necessary skills and institutional capacity. Community-based financing offers promising solutions to bridge these gaps while fostering inclusive growth and social benefits. This session will adopt a community-focused perspective, bringing together experts and practitioners to explore innovative financing approaches to advance local clean energy projects in emerging economies. Examples from Brazil, India, South Africa and other emerging markets will illustrate successful strategies. Insights from these discussions will inform ongoing OECD collaboration with the Governments of the Philippines and South Africa under the OECD Clean Energy Finance and Investment Mobilisation (CEFIM) programme, supporting just transition objectives.

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Opening remarks 

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Speakers

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