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CROSS CUTTING PROJECTS

Green Economy

Action and learning about Small and Micro Enterprises as a pathway to a green economy in the Caribbean (March - September 2014)

Countries: Caribbean

Dates / Term: March – September 2014

Funders: This project is funded by UK aid from the UK Government through the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED).

Partners: Members of the Caribbean Green Economy Action Learning Group (GE ALG)

Project amount: US$58,680

Goal and objectives:

Phase 5 in the Caribbean dialogue on green economy draws on a background paper produced by CANARI and seeks to implement one component of the programme of work of the Caribbean GE ALG.

The goal is to explore how to nurture Small and Micro Enterprises (SMEs), including those operating in the informal or semi-formal sectors, to be an engine for green and inclusive economic transformation in the Caribbean using an action research and learning approach with GE ALG members and other key partners in the region.

The overall learning question is: “How can we catalyse, support and empower SMEs so that they bring co-benefits (economic, environmental sustainability, social equity) and address issues of the informal sector?” 

Activities

•  Prepare papers and deliver two presentations on the programme of work by the Caribbean GE ALG and the background paper on SMEs at regional conference Caribbean Development: Standing Still or Standing Tall? Theoretical, Empirical and Policy Challenges hosted by the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies of the University of the West Indies, in Trinidad April 23-25 2014.
• Establish Action Research and Learning Group on SMEs in the Caribbean: Write Terms of Reference; identify and invite key change agents; and confirm membership of the Group.  Potential members to include SME leaders as well as representatives of key agencies and networks supporting SMEs from civil society, government, and inter-governmental technical agencies.
• Facilitate two-day workshop to develop action research and learning plan for the Action Research and Learning Group on SMEs in the Caribbean and write research and learning agenda.
• Support Group members with implementation of action learning activities in their businesses, organistions, sectors or countries via coaching.
• Hold second two-day workshop for Group members to facilitate sharing and evaluation of lessons and recommendations on institutions and policy and financial instruments to support and empower SMEs so that they bring co-benefits (economic, environmental sustainability, social equity) and address issues of the informal sector.
• Develop policy brief with lessons and recommendations, graphic design, and disseminate to key target groups electronically.

Results:

Outputs:

• Papers on Rethinking Caribbean economic development and Catalysing and supporting Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises presented at the University of the West Indies Sir Arthur Lewis Institute for Social & Economic Studies (SALISES) Conference – Caribbean Development: Standing Still or Standing Tall? Theoretical, Empirical and Policy Challenges held April 2014 in Trinidad and Tobago
• Action Research and Learning Group on SMEs in the Caribbean established (members and TOR)
• Report of first meeting of the Group
• Research and learning agenda developed to explore how can SMEs be catalysed, supported and empowered so that they bring co-benefits (economic, environmental sustainability, social equity) and address issues of the informal sector
• Meeting report documenting actions and learnings by Group members
• Policy brief written on how SMEs can be catalysed, supported and empowered as a pathway to green economy in the Caribbean

Immediate outcomes:

• Leaders from key organisations within and supporting the SME sector in the Caribbean have enhanced understanding of the opportunities, challenges and issues for institutions and policy and financial instruments to catalyse, support and empower SMEs as a pathway to green economy in the Caribbean.
• Leaders from key organisations within and supporting the SME sector in the Caribbean have enhanced understanding of how their roles and objectives can be better articulated with one another and aligned to broader local/national/regional/sectoral green economy pathways and strategies.
• Leaders from key organisations within and supporting the SME sector in the Caribbean have built capacity, commitment and are actively collaborating to support and empower small and micro enterprises so that they bring co-benefits (economic, environmental sustainability, social equity) and address issues of the informal sector.

Publications/documents:

• Rethinking Caribbean economic development: exploring a green economy approach
• Green economy: catalysing and supporting sustainable small, medium and micro enterprise development

• CANARI Policy Brief 19: Supporting Small and Micro Enterprises to be pathways to a Caribbean green economy

• 10 ways that Small and Micro Enterprises can drive the Caribbean green economy 

For more information contact: Nicole Leotaud, Executive Director [email protected]

Related programmes: CANARI’s Rural Livelihoods programme