Responsible Business Fund Plus (RBF+)

The RBF+ project builds on the success of the original Responsible Business Fund (RBF Myanmar) initiative, which, since 2017, has improved the competitiveness and responsible behavior of Myanmar enterprises through co-investments with Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in socially and environmentally responsible technologies. RBF Myanmar made significant strides in areas such as energy and water efficiency, waste treatment, food safety, and occupational health.

Operating in Myanmar’s current context of conflict and crisis, RBF+ addresses the serious disruptions faced by local businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic, subsequent civil unrest, and inflation. Particularly hard-hit, agrifood businesses face high costs, scarce resources, limited market access, and interruptions to both domestic and international supply chains. The RBF+ project emerges as a vital support mechanism for this sector, strengthening the resilience of agrifood MSMEs against these external shocks and creating pathways for future sustainability.

About RBF+

The RBF+ project is a four-year initiative managed and executed by a consortium that includes Helvetas Intercooperation gGmbH, Inclusive Systems Myanmar (ISM), Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation, and the Bern University of Applied Sciences. The project primarily targets MSMEs engaged in local agricultural value chains, with a mission to promote responsible practices among Myanmar enterprises and enhance economic resilience. By offering partial grants, technical assistance, and access to new technologies, RBF+ supports agrifood businesses in adopting ‘Responsible Technologies and Business Practices,’ focusing on sustainable recovery and preparing them for future challenges.

RBF+ aligns closely with the Sustainable Livelihoods and Inclusive Growth (SLING) project objectives, which seek to foster sustainable livelihoods, resource management, and resilience to climate change. The project will deliver impact in three core areas:

1. Capacity Enhancement for Agrifood MSMEs and Suppliers
   RBF+ will empower MSMEs by introducing advanced agricultural inputs, services, and modern technologies. Through training and technical support, the project ensures MSMEs can adopt innovative practices that improve both productivity and environmental performance.

2. Strengthening Agricultural Value Chains
   By building the capabilities of businesses providing essential inputs and processing agricultural outputs, RBF+ strengthens local value chains. This enhances efficiency and product quality, benefiting both producers and consumers.

3. Expanded Market Access
   Supporting MSMEs with improved access to domestic and international markets, the project partners with business associations, retailers, and importers. RBF+ enables MSMEs to meet quality standards and reach wider audiences, thus unlocking growth potential and new income streams.

Key Activities 

RBF+ employs a range of targeted strategies and activities to achieve its objectives:

• Grant Mechanisms: Partial grants for MSMEs support the adoption of responsible technologies—renewable energy, water efficiency, waste treatment, food safety, and more—enhancing their operational sustainability.

• Technical Assistance: Expert support guides MSMEs in developing innovative business models and boosting economic and environmental efficiency.

• Market Development: The project actively assists agrifood MSMEs in market exploration through trade fairs, networking, and international buyer missions.

• Technology and Innovation: Grants are available for enterprises to introduce cutting-edge products and services that advance operational performance and sustainability.

• Inclusivity and Gender Equity: RBF+ prioritizes women’s economic empowerment and ensures that under-represented groups have access to project benefits, creating a more inclusive agrifood sector.

RBF+ builds on RBF Myanmar’s legacy of fostering competitive, responsible, and resilient businesses. By leveraging established networks and proven models, RBF+ ensures impactful results for Myanmar’s agrifood sector. In collaboration with other EU-funded initiatives and through increased digitalization, RBF+ creates a scalable, cohesive approach that prepares Myanmar's MSMEs to thrive in a challenging and evolving global marketplace.

This project is funded by the European Union (EU), the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), and the Embassy of Denmark.

Areas of RBF+ Grant Support:

1. Modern Inputs and Technologies for Farmers
2. Technology Localization for Agrifood MSMEs
3. Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy
4. Water Efficiency
5. Waste Treatment & Recycling
6. Occupational Safety & Health (OSH)
7. Food Safety & Value-added Production
8. Agrifood MSMEs Participation in Trade Fairs
9. Knowledge Sharing for Farmers & Agrifood MSMEs (Market Requirements and Standards)