Resources
Delivering sustainable growth through public and private sector collaboration
Sustainable growth, that works for both people and the planet, is among the biggest challenges of our time. No single…
For over a decade, TRANSFORM changed lives by tackling global challenges through innovative enterprise
About TRANSFORM
Established in 2015, TRANSFORM was a joint initiative led by Unilever, the UK Government’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and EY. Together, we set out to help impact entrepreneurs test and scale commercially self-sustaining, market-driven solutions to some of the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges.
We built TRANSFORM on the principles of public-private collaboration and reciprocity, combining resources, expertise and networks to support locally led innovation. Through this approach, we worked alongside impact enterprises to create value for communities, entrepreneurs and partners alike.
Over the course of the initiative, we supported over 160 impact enterprise and research projects across 19 countries in Asia and Africa, reaching more than 21 million people.
The initiative came to an end in 2026 having exceeded its original ambition, but we have captured insights and lessons in our open-access playbook. We hope the TRANSFORM model lives on through others who adapt it, apply it and take its impact further.
Water, Sanitation & Hygiene
Future of Work
Raise Living Standards
Protect & Regenerate Nature
Waste-Free World
Digital health
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enterprise & research projects supported
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Project resources
Whether you're a donor, enterprise, business, investor or simply want to learn more, explore our collection of insights, tools, case studies and learning resources.
Academic Research Studies
Sustaining the future of micro-retailers: the vital role of tech-enabled e-commerce in emerging markets
Micro-retailers, including small family-owned shops and convenience stores, have significant economic importance in emerging markets and developing economies. Despite the…
Impact Stories
Transforming the lives of informal waste sector workers
‘Hasiru Dala’ means ‘the green force’ in Kannada, the official language of the state of Karnataka in Southern India. This…
Impact Stories
Future of Work: In Images – Maurine
MEET MAURINE Growth means many things to Kisumu-based agronomist Maurine. There’s skillfully nurturing the growth of her seedlings, and then…
Enterprise projects
TRANSFORM's impact enterprises are tackling some of the world's most pressing development challenges in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative way.
Elevarm
Elevarm, an Indonesian agri-tech startup, tackles core productivity challenges in agriculture by producing affordable, high-quality organic inputs, including fertilisers, seeds,…
Bhumijo
Dhaka has a population of over five million people and only 50 public toilets. Due to poor infrastructure and lack…
Kidame Mart PLC
In Ethiopia, people often lack access to consumer goods due to a shortage of distributors serving the last mile. Additionally,…
Jeeon
Behaviour change and access to essential products and services are often cited as one of the major barriers preventing Bangladesh…
Green Bean
Green Bean Manufacturing designs and creates agro-processing machinery and equipment for animal feed, coffee and spices in Ethiopia . Despite…
Sesa Recycling by GRIPE
Ghana generates around 840,000 tons of plastic waste per year, of which only 9.5% is collected for recycling. Alongside widespread…
GrooveTech
GrooveTech is transforming road infrastructure in South Africa by using recycled plastic waste to build durable, pothole-free, and climate-resilient roads…
University of Colorado
Worldwide, around 2.4 billion people still cook using solid fuels and kerosene in open fires and inefficient stoves. The resulting…