In order to support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in moving toward a circular and low-carbon economy, Fundação Getulio Vargas’ Center for Sustainability Studies (FGVces) has begun a series of workshops for SMEs that are members of the value chains of two large companies in Brazil. These activities are part of a project called Anchoring Sustainable Value Chains in Brazil, carried out in partnership with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, with co-funding from AL-Invest Verde, a European Union program focused on fostering sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America.

The workshops make up one of the project’s four areas and aim to strengthen the sustainability management skills of the SMEs taking part in the initiative. These training events cover topics such as an introduction to sustainability, materiality, the circular economy, greenhouse gas emissions management and human rights.

“In terms of expected impacts, the project aims to improve management for sustainability and circular economy practices among Brazilian SMEs, promote the emergence of partnerships and business opportunities and thereby boost value chains with a competitive edge due to their sustainability attributes,” says Beatriz Brandão, the FGVces researcher leading the project.

Alongside the series of workshops, the project will also mobilize a community of practice aimed at exchanging knowledge and practices. “While the workshops are geared at the SME partners of the project’s anchor companies, the community of practice will be open to other players in the circular economy and SME support ecosystem,” Brandão explains.

“Small companies that are interested in taking part to learn more about the topic, or that have a relevant challenge or practice to share, will be invited to this stage of the project,” she adds. The lessons learned from the community of practice will feed into a report to be produced in the project’s knowledge production area. This report will address challenges, bottlenecks, facilitators and opportunities to boost the circular economy in the value chains that the project is focusing on.

The FGVces project manager also highlights another activity planned as part of the initiative, which involves a trade mission to Europe, where selected SMEs will be able to have contact with schemes involving the circular economy and management for sustainability on an international scale, as well as access to business opportunities.

For more information about this project, click here.

The initiative is part of FGVces’ Sustainability in Value Chains program, which celebrates its 20^th anniversary in September.

To find out more about FGVces, visit its website.