BSO Assessments and Roadmaps
• Capacity needs assessments
• Review of SME support services
• Identification of service gaps and opportunities
• Roadmaps and prioritised action plans
Helping BSOs Deliver Measurable SME Growth
We support business support organisations (BSOs) to design and deliver practical, results-driven programmes that improve SME competitiveness, increase exports and strengthen institutional performance.
Our approach combines institutional strengthening with hands-on SME engagement. We focus not only on improving BSO systems and capabilities, but also on ensuring that these improvements translate into tangible results for SMEs, including increased competitiveness, new partnerships and export growth.
Strengthening BSO Capability & SME Support Systems
We work with BSOs to improve their ability to deliver effective, scalable and high-impact support to SMEs. Our work focuses on strengthening strategy, service delivery, advisory capacity and performance management systems.
We have worked with chambers of commerce, industry associations and export promotion agencies across Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, supporting their transition towards more results-driven SME support models.
Service Portfolio Development
• Design of SME support and export advisory services
• Development of fee-based services
• Member and client service improvement
• Sustainable & scalable service delivery models
Advisor Capacity Building and Training
• Training for BSO staff and advisors
• Coaching on delivery of specialised SME services
• Practical advisor tools and templates
• Training-of-trainers programmes
Sustainable Delivery Systems
• KPI and monitoring frameworks
• Digital and blended service delivery
• Pricing and charging models
• Sustainability and scale-up planning
Typical Programme Outcomes
- Improved BSO service performance and delivery quality
- Increased SME reach and engagement
- Stronger advisor capability and consistency
- Measurable improvements in SME export outcomes
Selected Programme Experience
Ukraine
BSO Export Capacity Building
Strengthening BSOs' SME Export Support
Strengthened capacity of 15 industry associations to design and deliver structured SME export support programmes aligned to EU market requirements.
Impact
- Strengthened export capacity of 15 BSOs
- Developed internationalisation strategies
- 19 international partnerships created
Jordan
International E-Commerce
Institutional Capacity Building for Digital Trade
Strengthened Jordan’s export support ecosystem for digital trade by working with six national institutions including chambers and export promotion agencies.
Impact
- Built a pool of international e-commerce advisors
- Delivered first Cross-Border E-Commerce Day
- Supported SMEs to start digital exports
Uganda
International B2B Matchmaking
Export Promotion Capability and B2B Systems
Built the capability of Ugandan BSOs to design and deliver structured B2B matchmaking events linking SMEs with European buyers.
Impact
- Upskilled BSOs to organise matchmaking events
- Developed B2B matchmaking systems within BSOs
- Helped BSOs deliver successful online matchmaking
Vietnam
Strengthening Trade Promotion Institutions
Developing Strategy and Building Capacity
Supported the development of trade promotion capacity and export marketing systems at Ministry of Industry and Trade and VIETRADE.
Impact
- Strengthened trade promotion capability
- Developed sector export strategies
- New international food brand for Vietnam
Georgia
SME Linkages Programme – Georgia
Supplier Development & BSO Delivery Capability
Designed and piloted a programme linking Georgian SMEs with international hotel and restaurant groups while strengthening capacity of Enterprise Georgia and local consultants.
Impact
- Developed BSO adviser skills and knowledge
- Built linkages between SMEs & corporate buyers
- Developed model for future programmes
Moldova
Supply Chain Linkages Programme - OECD
Strengthening SME–retailer value chain linkages
Developed practical programme to strengthen the competitiveness of Moldovan food processing SMEs and support their integration into domestic and international retail supply chains.
Impact
- Mapped retailer needs & SME capability gaps
- Designed supplier development programme
- Strengthened SME-retailer linkages
