What is the Business Partnerships Platform?
We support partnerships between the Australian Government and inclusive and sustainable businesses to create a lasting social and environmental impact
About the Business Partnerships Platform
The Business Partnerships Platform (BPP) is now closed.
Since its establishment in 2016, the BPP has supported 75 partnerships across 21 countries in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Together, these partnerships have delivered innovative solutions and sustainable, catalytic impact, with many designed to continue generating benefits beyond the life of the BPP.
With the closure of the program, there will be no further BPP funding opportunities. However, partners may continue to engage with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Australian Government through other initiatives. Please direct any queries to DFAT’s Blended Finance and Investor Engagement Unit at blended.finance@dfat.gov.au.
REnew Pacific will continue to support off-grid energy partners and investments across the Pacific and Timor Leste.
This website and BPP social media channels will remain live until 30 June 2028 to give sufficient time to continue to access the results and stories that have made BPP a success.
Responding to COVID-19
COVID-19 has resulted in widespread impact for countries and economies globally. People have lost their livelihoods and businesses have been disrupted.
In 2020, we launched a call for partnerships in nine countries to assist Australian and overseas organisations to invest in new business opportunities to fuel COVID-19 recovery and drive the transition to a green economy.
Through the BPP our partners can access to Australian Government resources, including:
- Catalytic funding to encourage and support businesses and other organisations looking to increase commercial and social returns in line with the Australian development program’s strategic priorities.
- Convening, brokering, networks and influence in partner countries.
- Deep knowledge of development as well as the business, political and regulatory environment in partner countries.
- Expertise in development program management, safeguards, and gender and disability inclusion.
- Support in creating a more attractive business operating environment through its broader policy reform and governance programs.
Find out more about our COVID-19 recovery partnerships here.
Gender and social inclusion
We work with our partners to counter the regressive effect of the pandemic on gender equality. COVID-19 continues to affect lives and livelihoods around the world, with a significant impact on women. Women’s work has proven more vulnerable in the pandemic with the burden of unpaid care keeping women out of work. Job losses in service sector have disproportionately impacted women. We select partners on their ability to champion gender equality and social inclusion and work with them to strengthen their approach to women’s economic empowerment and to support women to succeed as leaders, employees and as suppliers in the value chain and drive a fair recovery from COVID-19.
Creating sustainable impact
Creating or adapting products and services to improve lives
Improving the productivity, inclusivity, or sustainability of value chains
Supporting the expansion of inclusive business practices
How We Partner
The partnership model is the key defining feature of the BPP.
Our partnerships require partners to invest resources and capital alongside the Australian Government in pursuit the partnership goals.
Partnerships are driven by shared priorities, open communication, accountability, sharing of risks and benefits, and recognising and responding to each other’s strengths to add value in their collaboration.
Our Partners
Where we partner
The Business Partnerships Platform is supported by the Australian Government and implemented by Palladium.