We are ESDP, and we are working for a brighter, more equitable future across Europe.

Together, we can advance inclusive procurement across Europe and empower minority-owned suppliers to grow, compete, and thrive.

After the success of a 2-year pilot project, the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP) was established as a foundation in January 2024 with an ambition to become a supplier diversity vehicle for minority-owned suppliers to access corporate supply chains. Our purpose is to empower these suppliers across European markets.

ESDP Corporate Members

It is time to harness a growing contribution.

The European Union's official definition of a Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) is based on three main categories: Micro, Small, and Medium. A company must satisfy the headcount criterion and one of the two financial criteria, either turnover or balance sheet total. (More details here)

Throughout Europe, SMEs are at the heart of innovation and entrepreneurship. Among them, minority-owned businesses account for 4.7%, together they contribute to a sustainable & digital economy, central to Europe’s competitiveness.

In Europe

99%

businesses are SMEs

There are at least

800,000

European minority-owned businesses

Turning over

€570bn

combined

Let’s break down those barriers.

In a world of growing socio-economic inequality, minority-owned businesses often face greater barriers when it comes to winning corporate contracts. Smaller suppliers, especially those from an ethnic minority or immigrant background often find it challenging to navigate the complex and bureaucratic tendering process while also having to compete against established supplier relationships.

At ESDP, we are bringing together industry leaders, sourcing and supply chain professionals, investors, innovators, start-ups and high-growth minority-owned suppliers to break down those barriers.

We are here to help minority-owned suppliers to connect, share knowledge, and build lasting, meaningful relationships. So more and more businesses will benefit from being part of the supplier diversity and inclusion ecosystem.

Welcome to a network that empowers
companies to connect and thrive

1

Make connections and foster long-term business relationships.

2

Access world-class learning and online programmes for growth and supplier development.

3

Supercharge your supply diversity potential at networking events, conferences and business shows.

4

Win investment for your innovative product or service.

5

Collaborate and amplify your brand with monthly meet-ups and networking.

6

Apply frameworks to measure the social and profit impact of supplier diversity for your corporation.

Reflection from Paulina,
Our Managing Director

“With new EU directives like the CSRD placing social impact at the heart of business, our work has never been more vital. My goal is to ensure ESDP leads this transition across Europe.
We are here to turn policy into practice, empowering our diverse suppliers to grow while supporting our corporate partners in building the inclusive, resilient supply chains that will define the future of business in Europe.

This next chapter is not just about a change in leadership—it is about our shared commitment to building a more inclusive future. I am so lucky to lead a team and a community that show up with such purpose every single day.”


— Paulina Rabell, 
ESDP Managing Director

We have a successful background in increasing supplier diversity.

 
Supplier diversity, originating from the US civil rights movement in the 50s, promotes inclusive procurement by sourcing from underrepresented businesses. This global movement led to the founding of Minority Supplier Development UK (MSDUK) in 2006, a non-profit dedicated to connecting ethnic minority-owned businesses with corporate supply chains in the UK.
 

Building on MSDUK‘s success, after a two-year pilot project, ESDP was launched in 2024 to expand these efforts across Europe, breaking down barriers for European minority-owned suppliers and ultimately fostering a more equitable and innovative European business environment.

Here’s to a brighter, more equitable future.

At ESDP, we have big ambitions. We are advocating for and actively helping minority-owned suppliers to access more opportunities.

 

ESDP connects minority-owned suppliers with corporate members committed to inclusive procurement, fostering business opportunities and diversifying EU supply chains. We aim to give industry leaders a chance to tap into new innovation and agility, ultimately embedding inclusive procurement into every strategy to level the playing field for all.

Brighter for business, brighter for all

We are breaking down barriers to help empower minority-owned suppliers to secure supply contracts.
We are helping corporations to be more inclusive, giving them access to a wider, more diverse network of suppliers.
We are enabling buyers, and the EU economy as a whole, to reap the benefits of a more diverse, resilient, innovative and cost-competitive supply chain.
More jobs and growth will be created in the economy.
"There is no better source than ESDP and platforms like theirs, providing corporations access to best-in-class suppliers that help them develop the innovative products and services their clients need while at the same time providing socio-economic value."
Peter Zerp, ESDP Board Chair, Global Supplier Inclusion & Diversity Client Program Lead, Accenture
“At Bristol Myers Squibb, supplier diversity is about people. It is about sharing resources, broadening perspectives, increasing efficiencies, and, ultimately, transforming lives. We believe in our ability to build trust and supply change. We believe in each other.“
Sarah Ahmad, ESDP Board Member, Director, Global Advertising Category Lead & European Supplier Diversity Lead, Bristol Myers Squibb
“Dow is proud to collaborate with like-minded companies for the European Supplier Diversity Program (ESDP). These steps demonstrate the company’s commitment to expanding our supplier diversity efforts in Europe.“
Saskia van Goethem, Regional Corporate Services Leader, Dow
“As Suntory Global Spirits Supplier Diversity continues to expand globally, we are excited to join ESDP as Corporate Members! We look forward to working together on our shared goals of driving economic inclusion of minority-owned businesses in Europe.”
Rosa Botello, Director, Supplier Diversity & Human Rights, Suntory Global Spirits

Meet the ESDP Team

Paulina Rabell

Managing Director

Asanté Boyce

Operations and Community Lead

Arpan Chatterjee

Country Lead - Germany

Quynh Dam

Marketing Lead