Academic Research Studies
Lessons in partnership: the TRANSFORM story
Partnerships exist between people, not organisations. This report looks at how TRANSFORM was formed, how the programme works, how different…
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
0
enterprise & research projects supported
£
0
m
provided in grant funding and business support
0
m+
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
Developing and validating an underwriting model for micro-enterprises in India
Kirana stores (small grocery and general shops in India) account for approximately 88% of the country’s retail sector and make…
Academic Research Studies
How to support utilities to create new sanitation businesses
Learnings from TRANSFORM’s new Utilities Sanitation Challenge Dissemination Report Water utilities in Africa are increasingly embracing their new remit to…
Impact Stories
Future of Work: In Images – Vane
Vane’s food kiosk is not just a business but a lifeline. Initially driven by desperation to provide for her family…
Enterprise projects
TRANSFORM's impact enterprises are tackling some of the world's most pressing development challenges in an inclusive, sustainable and innovative way.
Royal Bengal Greentech
Biodegradable plastics made from food sources are often seen as a promising alternative to traditional petroleum-based packaging. However, because they…
Bliss Group
New and expectant mothers need quality products, advice and support when it comes to maternal and child health. However, in…
Reeddi
Access to electricity is critical to the social and economic development of communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, in Nigeria there…
&frnds
&frnds is a B2B e-commerce platform with embedded finance options for last mile value chains in emerging markets. Micro-retailers in…
Loowatt
Globally, more people have a phone than a toilet. Over 700 children under age five die every day of diarrhoeal…
Mercy Corps
The TRANSFORM funded Mercy Corps project encouraged women and young people to start their own microenterprises selling clean cookstoves, improving…
Reach52
Around 52 percent of the world’s population do not have access to essential healthcare, and typically live in regions with…
Saraplast
A big challenge faced by women in urban areas of India is accessing safe, hygienic toilets outside the home, particularly…