Nearly 1.5 million euros will be used to promote green economy and environmental sustainability projects in Peru.

Lima, 14 March 2023 - Nearly one and a half million euros will be allocated to boost green economy projects in Peru through the AL-INVEST Verde programme, a European Union (EU) initiative that promotes sustainable growth and job creation in the region with an emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The programme - through the implementation of its Component 1 - selected 24 projects from the 136 proposals received during the First Call for Proposals from all over Latin America. In our country, four projects will be implemented, focused on the transition towards low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular business models that will benefit 840 Peruvian MSMEs. 

"SMEs are key actors for the sustainable development of economies due to their high potential to respond to market needs, generate employment and allow access to better living conditions. At AL-INVEST Verde we manage funds to finance projects that seek to benefit SMEs and at the same time expand their possibilities to trade under EU standards, giving them a competitive advantage."commented Irene Haddad, Team Leader of Component 1 of AL-INVEST Verde. 

The entities responsible for the implementation of the projects are the Asociación Solidaridad Países Emergentes - ASPEm, the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Ica, the Peruvian-German Chamber of Commerce and the National Society of Industries - SNI. These institutions representing the private sector also signed a commitment to promote the development of the green economy in joint work with the European Union.

Throughout its implementation, the programme will provide training, technical assistance and trade promotion activities, networking and other actions to contribute to the productivity and competitiveness of SMEs in the region.

"The EU is committed to green transition issues and we have been working hand in hand with partner countries. Latin America is a very important region for the achievement of sustainable development. The implementation of a programme such as AL-INVEST Verde contributes to the achievement of the 2030 climate goals, taking into account the European Green Pact and promoting actions to facilitate sustainable investments."said Gaspar Frontini, EU Ambassador to Peru.

Rosa Bueno of the Lima Chamber of Commerce (CCL), lead partners of AL-INVEST Verde, emphasised the private sector's drive for job creation and sustainability. "The CCL has been developing a series of actions with the support of the AL-INVEST Verde programme, such as: the signing of framework agreements with institutions that help to meet the objectives, seminars and workshops to raise awareness on circular economy and sustainability issues for SMEs, the formulation of programmes of good sustainable practices also for SMEs and sustainable business rounds, together with complementary promotional activities.", added.

Component 1 also announced that details of a second Call for Proposals for projects arising from the partnership between business organisations in Latin America and the European Union will soon be announced with a view to promoting new funding opportunities.

The AL-INVEST Verde programme is implemented throughout Latin America and has allocated more than nine million euros to support projects benefiting SMEs in the region. 

About AL-INVEST Green

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 promote sustainable practices in the private sector. Component 1 is led by sequaThe German non-profit organisation, which operates worldwide with the aim of promoting the private sector.