Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) play a key role in innovation, economic growth, employment creation and the provision of goods and services to underserved communities. The adoption of sustainable consumption and production (SCP) can be helpful for SMEs to foster their sustainability and competency through innovative products and services, cost savings, market expansion and price premiums. In this regard, CSCP is developing a strategic paper on the possible intervention points to mobilise the potential of SCP for SMEs in the developing country context.

 

The development of the strategy document is based on the suggestions collected from key stakeholders on what might be provided and what actions are needed to help and encourage SMEs in developing countries to go further down the road of SCP. The key stakeholders were from Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe who have a range of experiences in SMEs and SCP related fields and operate at local, regional and international levels. They represent a full spectrum of interests - SMEs, UN agencies, financial institutions, national governments, development agencies, National Cleaner Production Centres, non-governmental organizations, academics and others. The information collected from the key stakeholders is supported by desktop studies on the current status of SCP in SMEs and SCP challenges amongst SMEs.

 

The strategic document is aimed at providing UNEP with a clear indication of stakeholder opinions on gaps of action regarding SMEs’ strategic understanding of SCP business opportunities, implementation of SCP tools and access to SCP related finance. It has the virtue of addressing strategic intervention areas and it rightly stresses the need to make SCP relevant and practical for SMEs. The document will have has 3 categories and Appendices. The three categories are; Resource Mobilisation, Networking and Strategic Partnership, and government and SME-intermediaries. Key areas for strategic action will be identified and presented under the three categories.

 

This document is the private sector component of the UNEP project on 'Promoting sustainable consumption and production in developing countries for poverty alleviation' - which aims to demonstrate the potential of SCP as a tool for poverty reduction.

 

For more information contact Fisseha Tessema at fisseha.tessema@scp-centre.org