Since the BID concept first emerged in North America in the mid-1960's, it has been adopted in many countries across the world. Today there are more than 1,500 BIDs across the world. The following table provides a broad breakdown of BIDs in some of the countries: 

Despite its widespread adoption and use, there is no standardized naming convention or definition for BIDs. They are known as Business Improvement Areas in Canada, City improvement Districts in South Africa and Business Improvement Districts in the UK and in many parts of the United States.

Literature suggests that while legislation is neccessary to permit local governments to create BIDs, this legislation varies across countries. For example, in the United States, the property owners are the levy payers while in England and Wales, the levy is on the occupiers, and in Scotland there is scope to have the levy across occupiers and owners.

Even in terms of the financial structure there is considerable variation as a BID may be operated by a non-profit organization or by a quasi-governmental entity.

However,  despite all these differences, studies suggest that BIDs are increasingly sharing role identities, operating strategies, and organisational cultures which indicates that they are becoming institutionalised at an international level.

Below are links to some International BID organisations:

United States

International Downtown Association: www.ida-downtown.org

Canada

Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas: www.toronto-bia.com

Business Improvement Areas of British Colombia: www.bia.bc.ca

South Africa

Cape Town Partnership: www.capetownpartnership.co.za

Central Johannesburg Partnership: www.cip.co.za

Republic of Ireland

Dublin City Centre BIDs: dublinbids.com

Germany

Urban Improvement Districts: http://www.urban-improvement-districts.de/?q=English