Official accreditation by BDA for government entities leading economic development
What is an Accredited Government Entity (AGE)?
The Accredited Government Entity (AGE) status, granted by the Business Development Association (BDA), recognizes government bodies that integrate business development and governance standards into their operations and developmental programs, aligned with the BDABoK® framework. As an accredited entity, your organization will gain international recognition for its professional practices—enhancing its credibility and positioning it as a leader in economic support and business empowerment.
Benefits of AGE Accreditation
International Recognition
Receive formal accreditation from a globally recognized body reflecting your commitment to institutional excellence.
Enhanced Government Reputation
Demonstrate your adherence to transparency, good governance, and business environment enhancement.
Official Listing in the BDA Directory
Your institution will be listed among accredited government entities in the BDA directory, with a dedicated profile page.
Use of the Accreditation Badge
Obtain the official AGE accreditation badge to use in official reports and public awareness materials.
Opportunities for International Partnerships
Unlock strategic collaboration with international organizations and public-private sectors through the BDA network.
ATC accreditation is designed for training centers and institutes delivering education in business development. Eligible applicants include:
- Corporate training providers offering professional development programs.
- Independent training institutes focused on business development.
- Professional development centers offering courses in areas like strategic leadership, marketing, and sales.
To qualify, your center must demonstrate a strong record of training excellence and alignment with BDABoK® standards, with the capacity to deliver high-quality, impactful training.
AGE Accreditation Assessment Process
1️⃣ Application Submission
The government entity submits an application via the BDA website with required documents (institutional profile, policies and regulations, project reports, training plans, performance indicators).
2️⃣ Initial Review
Documents are reviewed to verify basic eligibility, with time granted to address any missing information.
3️⃣ Comprehensive Evaluation Using BDAAT
The assessment includes five main pillars:
BDABoK® Alignment (30%)
Policies & Projects (25%)
Internal Training & Capacity Building (20%)
Transparency & Institutional Governance (15%)
Continuous Development & Performance Improvement (10%)
Minimum required: 75/100
4️⃣ Optional Site Visit
A field visit may be arranged to assess service centers, training facilities, and the organizational environment.
5️⃣ Evaluation Report (BDAAT Report)
Includes assessment results, observations, strengths, and recommendations. Entities are given one week to provide feedback.
6️⃣ Accreditation Decision
Entities scoring 75% or above receive an official accreditation certificate and AGE badge. Those below may reapply after 3 months of improvement.
7️⃣ Annual Follow-Up
Annual renewal is required with an institutional performance report and renewal fee.
Evaluation Model – BDAAT
The Business Development Accreditation Assessment Tool (BDAAT) is BDA’s official digital framework for evaluating government entities applying for AGE accreditation. It ensures a fair and transparent assessment that measures institutional performance and alignment with BDABoK® standards.
Assessment Pillars:
🔹 BDABoK® Alignment (30%)
Analyzing how BDABoK® competencies are embedded in government strategies and policies (e.g., strategy, market analysis, SME empowerment).
🔹 Policies & Projects (25%)
Evaluating the impact and relevance of public programs and initiatives related to business development.
🔹 Internal Training Programs (20%)
Analyzing the quality of staff training and internal capacity-building initiatives.
🔹 Transparency & Governance (15%)
Measuring adherence to transparency standards, presence of governance policies, and report clarity.
🔹 Continuous Development (10%)
Assessing systems updates, data-driven improvements, and responsiveness to market challenges.
Evaluation Table
Criteria | Criteria | Indicators | Score % |
|---|---|---|---|
Alignment with BDABoK® | 30% | Integration of BDABoK® in strategies and policies | –
|
Policies & Government Projects | 25% | Project impact, effectiveness, support for business growth | –
|
Internal Training | 20% | Training quality, public sector capacity-building strategies | –
|
Ethics & Governance | 15% | Institutional governance, transparency, annual reports | – |
Continuous Improvement | 10% | System updates, improvement initiatives, response to change | – |
Total Score | 100% | Minimum required: 75/100 | – |
Sample Evaluation
A government entity integrates 85% of BDABoK® competencies in its policies (26/30), runs impactful SME support programs (22/25), delivers strong internal training (18/20), follows transparent governance practices (13/15), and updates its strategies annually (9/10).
Total Score: 88/100 – Accreditation granted.
AGE Accreditation Fees
ACF accreditation fees are designed to cover all stages of evaluation and ongoing support.
fees table
Fee Type | Amount (EUR) |
|---|---|
Initial Accreditation Fee | €4,500
|
Annual Renewal Fee | €1,500 |
Included in the Fees:
Review of policies and documentation
Use of the BDAAT tool
Official Accreditation Certificate
Official accreditation badge
Listing in the BDA Government Entities Directory
Note: Annual performance reports and renewal payments are required to maintain active status.
What is AGE Accreditation?
Accreditation for government entities that apply business development standards within their policies and programs.
Who is eligible?
Government bodies focused on economic development and private sector growth.
How long does the process take?
Typically 3–5 weeks after complete documentation is submitted.
Is accreditation permanent?
No, it must be renewed annually with performance reporting.
Does the accreditation cover all programs?
Only those aligned with BDABoK® and included in the evaluation.
Other Accreditations
AAI - Accredited Academic Institution
Official accreditation by BDA for leading academic institutions in business development
ACF - Accredited Consulting Firm
Official accreditation by BDA for the leading consulting firms in business development
AGE - Accredited Government Entity
Official accreditation by BDA for government entities driving economic development
ANPO - Accredited Non-Profit Organization
Official accreditation by BDA for nonprofit organizations empowering communities and businesses
