CBI presents highlights of 2024 results

The CBI annual report highlights the 2024 results. Last year, CBI supported 467 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in various countries and sectors via 42 projects. These projects helped companies become more sustainable and provided more job opportunities. Here are the highlights.

Transition towards inclusive and sustainable economies

CBI's mission is to support the transition towards inclusive and sustainable economies worldwide. We focus on SMEs who:

• export value-added products and services to European markets; and
• want to strengthen economic, social and environmental sustainability.  

This resulted in a total export value of nearly €350 million for the companies we supported. Sustainable products and services accounted for almost 45% of exports. We invested in further developing our knowledge and skills. We also adapted and enhanced our working methods using a systems approach. Our activities focused on ensuring local ownership and scaling successful solutions to the broader sector.

More jobs for women and youth

In our projects, we aim to support and increase job opportunities, especially for women and youth. In 2024, the companies we supported provided 39,127 FTE jobs. Women were employed in 44% of the total FTEs. Also, almost one-third of the SMEs were led by women entrepreneurs. CBI's project portfolio in 2024 included 7 projects focusing on youth employment. These projects are becoming increasingly inclusive, actively involving and consulting more young people. Nearly one-third of the total full-time equivalents (FTEs) supported by CBI in 2024 were youth positions.

Market information

In 2024, we shared valuable market information with SMEs in our partner countries. Over the year, we shared 238 market information studies, which generated 1.3 million page views. We also published new studies, sharing tips on how to go green and how to become more socially responsible. Also, CBI launched the honey sector page and published 10 studies on this topic.

Expanded partnerships

We continued collaborating with business support organisations (BSOs) and other partners to promote more sustainable and inclusive sectors. Partners include:

• Governments;
• Trade promotion organisations;
• Export promotion agencies; and
• Sector associations.

Our collaboration with the TRIC network continued. This network includes ITC, IPD, Swiss Import Promotion Programme (SIPPO), OTGS, Finnpartnership, FCDO and Enabel. In 2024, our collaboration with ITC progressed on the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR). 

Digital and local first

We reinforced our commitment to the 'digital and local first' approach, aiming to reduce our annual CO2- emissions by 25% compared to 2019 levels. In 2024, CBI met this target by flying less and travelling by train in Europe more often.
We also encourage the increased use of digital and hybrid tools and innovations in our projects. CBI's training portal provides access to e-learning courses for participating companies and CBI experts. In 2024, the Training Portal had 549 active users and 731 modules were completed. 

More information

View the CBI annual report 2024 (infographic).