Impact Stories
The match-made benefits of our Executive Coaching program
Through TRANSFORM, Unilever, UK FCDO and EY enable a unique model – one that bridges the public and private sectors,…
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) through the Global Research and Technology Department (GRTD), 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.
TRANSFORM brought public and private sector organisations together, combining resources, expertise and networks to support locally led innovation. Through this approach, we worked alongside impact enterprises and researchers 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 delivered its vision, and its legacy continues. We’ve captured our insights and learnings in an 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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people reached
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.
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 – Sylvia
MEET SYLVIA Every Tuesday, Sylvia and her students light up the dance floor at Da Bar Club in Kisumu. Salsa…
Impact Stories
Improving plastic waste collection and empowering women in Indonesia
Lohjinawi partners with local waste banks to collect recyclables and provide fair income to waste collectors, turning individual efforts into…
Enterprise projects
TRANSFORM's impact enterprises are tackling some of the world's most pressing development challenges in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative way.
Powered by People
While the World Economic Forum forecasts that the handmade and small-batch sector will reach $1 trillion by 2024, the sector has historically…
Bhumijo
Dhaka has a population of over five million people and only 50 public toilets. Due to poor infrastructure and lack…
Sonke
Sonke is a South African tech startup revolutionising FMCG consumption for low-income consumers. In South Africa, low-income consumers cannot afford…
Hasiru Dala Innovations
In India, informal waste-pickers are the largest contributors to plastic circularity but often operate in exploitative and hazardous conditions. As…
Where India Goes
The Where India Goes project, with TRANSFORM’s funding and support, explored solutions for safe defecation before the demand and supply…
Terra Ecopreneurs
Karnataka is India’s largest coffee-producing state, with thousands of tribal and marginal farmers cultivating coffee and other spices under challenging…
Folia Water
Globally, 1.2 million people die each year from drinking dirty water. Low-income communities cannot afford costly water appliances that provide…
Busara
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) data shows that most plastic waste in Asia is either incinerated or…