The United Nations Development Programme -Implemented Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (UNDP-Implemented GEF-SGP) has partnered with the International Trade and Finance Academy (ITFA) to train Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) on sustainable export practices.
This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of MSMEs to participate in international trade while promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.
Also, to scale such innovations, UNDP is offering grants of up to $50,000 to qualified organisations working on environmental sustainability and improving rural livelihoods. About 60 businesses are expected to benefit in the pilot phase.
Speaking at the launch and training workshop on Nature-Positive MSMEs in Nigeria (SPEMN) Sustainability Coaching Program held in Lagos, national coordinator of the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), Ibironke Olubamise, said the program’s core mission is to support environmental initiatives within Nigerian communities.
She said, “since its inception, the program has facilitated over 200 projects across more than 200 communities in 30 states. The focus lies on empowering civil society organizations to enhance their capacity beyond relying on grants, encouraging them to adopt social enterprise models.
“This approach aims not only to ensure their sustainability but also to increase their positive impact on both the environment and the local livelihoods.”
Olubamise added that “many organizations have successfully developed nature-based products that are both beneficial and safe for consumers, providing alternatives to chemical-laden goods.
“The projects have spurred opportunities in areas like moringa production and energy-efficient solutions that reduce fossil fuel dependence.
“The UNDP is providing grants of up to $50,000 to support these initiatives, designed to improve environmental sustainability and community livelihoods.”
She further said, “through collaboration and ongoing support, the UNDP seeks to foster a network of sustainable enterprises that can thrive independently, continuing to make a significant positive impact on the communities they serve.”
The Trade Ambassador to the International Trade Facilitators Association, Prince Collins Ezeiruaku discussed the necessity of a collaboration with UNDP for a training conference targeting businesses in Nigeria.
He highlighted the challenges faced by grant-funded projects, particularly NGOs working on community issues, saying after their funding cycles end, many of these impactful initiatives struggle to sustain themselves, leading to a loss of significant contributions to areas such as environmental health, food security, and rural labor migration.
He advocated for a holistic approach to sustainability that encompasses profits, environmental health, and community welfare.
Following the training, he said participants will be assigned coaches for nine months to guide the implementation of learned strategies.
Speaking on behalf of the participants, the CEO of Alpha B Igbemo & Ofada Rice Processing Company Limited, Feyisayo Borisade expressed a desire to elevate her business from low-grade to higher-grade operations.
She said “I aim to enhance my export capabilities and educate others, particularly university graduates, on entrepreneurship, encouraging them to seek self-employment rather than rely on government jobs.”
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