A Christian Resource for Microenterprise Development
Development Resources
Microenterprises are defined as businesses which do not require more then $6,000 to start and which may be started by an individual, family or small group. Microenterprises often trade in the informal, unregistered sector but it is recommended that formal registration should be considered carefully, especially if any staff are to be employed. The requirements and benefits for registration can vary between countries. Keep in mind that any business producing food or drinks for public sale may have to be registered and possibly inspected fror ‘Health and safety’.
Following is a list of 70 microenterprise concepts which are considered to have a
potential and which could probably be started for a maximum of $6,000.
It is intended
to provide comprehensive details for as many microenterprises as possible to provide
models for replication - see our Franchising page
Village scale bio diesel processing plant:
Detail on each of the listed microenterprises will be progressively added using a standard format, to provide as much as possible of the basic information you will need to start such a business or help you decide if this type of business is suitable and likely to be successful for you or those you are helping.
Conditions, opportunities and markets will vary possibly greatly, depending on the local situation, so you will also need to undertake your own study of the subject using the Internet or library resources, looking at any existing competition, find out how best to sell your product or service and what local prices you can expect to sell for, or charge. The first established profile is: Polytunnels Click here (PDF). Also watch a YouTube video about Polytunnel Mixed Crops here.
Microenterprises (Maximum $6,000 start up capital
Microbusinesses Producing Goods for Sale
Animal feed supplement mixes - Romanian experience
Bakery/retail
Basket weaving - cultivation of willow raw materials
Building and repair services
Cake and biscuit production
Cheese and other dairy products manufacture
Collective marketing and sales of fresh farm produce
Computer services - supply of reconditioned computers/ink cartridge filling
Electrical services
Free range egg production
Fresh farm produce
Hand made greeting cards
Hand made jewellery production
Hand made paper
Hand made soaps and cosmetics
Healthy Snack foods
Hedging and walling services
Herb farming products/extracts (e.g. lavender bags, herb teas) - under development Albania*
Home packed honey and other bee products for collective sales - under development in Albania*
Home packed jams and pickles for collective sales
Home sewn children's books and toys
Irrigation system services (Ponds, drip systems, solar pumps etc)
Jam and pickle preserves production
Micro consignment sales (Buying and selling small lots of goods needed by community)
Micro scale bio ethanol and bio diesel manufacture - under consideration in Albania*
Milk pasteurisation and pouching
Mobile agric-input services (seed, tools, irrigation kits etc)
Mobile pharmacy and eyesight testing - basic health advice and selling medicines/spectacles
Mobile Pharmacy with sight testing/ reading glasses
Mushroom production
Paving slab production
Plant and equipment hire
Plastics recycling (Model exists in Moldova)
Picture Framing
Plumbing services
Polytunnels for seedlings, early and late market crops - pilots in Romania
Rabbit farming (Model exists in Slovakia)
Regional distribution and market services
Roof tile makers
Roofing and scaffolding
Sales of needed imported goods - Micro consignment
Seedling, plant and tree nursery (Polytunnel)
Smoked fish and/or meats
Soft fruit farming (Half hectare strawberry pilot in Kosovo)*
Solar water heaters
Sun dried vegetable and fruits
Tractor and driver rental services
Vegetable Box home delivery service
Weaving, sewing and knitting group
Wooden toy production
Microbusinesses Providing a Community Service
Child care service/nursery
Club for the elderly
Community owned savings bank
Community video/DVD producer
Composting services (Biomass/worm culture)
Dry stone walling/fencing
Eco tourism
Hairdressing
Manicurist/chiropodist
Minibus/courier services
Mobile disco/clubs for young people
Mobile library/information centre
Mobile Village cinema
Post, telephone and email services
Teaching English
Travelling theatre group
TV repair/leasing
Village dressmaker/tailor
Village photographer (Digital camera with solar powered printer for immediate prints) Uganda pilot*
Village shop/cafe