AL-INVEST Verde, the European Union's international cooperation programme that promotes job creation through the development of the green economy in Latin America, culminated the implementation of 24 projects, impacting more than 24,500 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in 11 countries in the region, through its Component 1, which supports the private sector.
During this period, the projects promoted the transformation of MSMEs towards more sustainable, digital and efficient models, generating tangible results in terms of employment, productivity and access to international markets. The beneficiary companies participated in training aimed at improving productivity and efficiency, fostering the circular economy and digitalisation. These companies were able to strengthen their capacities to compete in increasingly demanding markets.
Among the main results, more than 6,500 MSMEs have adopted sustainable practices; 3,100 MSMEs have incorporated quality and sustainability norms and standards; and 4,490 MSMEs have improved the efficiency of their processes, achieving significant resource savings. In addition, 145 business meetings were held, with the participation of more than 4,100 MSME representatives, buyers and importers, and more than 2,390 MSMEs increased their turnover.
"The first 24 completed projects not only met and exceeded the planned goals, but also decisively strengthened the capacities of MSMEs, positioning them as benchmarks in sustainability, circular economy and productive efficiency. They also showed how sales, profitability and productivity can be naturally integrated with efficiency and environmental management, opening up a unique opportunity to scale sustainable business models in Latin America.”commented Irene Hadadd, team leader of the AL-INVEST Verde programme.
The 24 projects that completed their activities as part of AL-INVEST Verde were selected following the First Call for Proposals, with an investment of more than eight million euros earmarked for the implementation of green economy initiatives in Latin America. The implementation of these initiatives lasted between 24 and 30 months.
The programme continues to implement 43 projects selected after the Second Call for Projects, which promote sustainable actions aimed at improving the productivity and competitiveness of small entrepreneurs and producers, as well as the promotion of deforestation-free chains in compliance with the European Union Regulation on Deforestation-Free Products (EUDR) in the region.
The results of AL-INVEST Verde demonstrate that the combination of efficiency, sustainability and digital transformation represents a concrete opportunity to strengthen the competitiveness and resilience of MSMEs in Latin America.
About AL-INVEST Verde
AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 1, the programme manages funds for the implementation of innovative projects of small business associations to boost sustainable practices in the private sector. Component 1 is led by sequa, a German non-profit organisation operating worldwide with the aim of promoting the private sector.