Description

The Programme Poverty Reduction and Improvement of the Environment: an Integral Sustainable Development Strategy is an initiative with the goal of:

To strengthen the position of both profit and not for profit organizations in Central America and the Dominican Republic (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Dominican Republic), that have the potential to make a  positive contribution to the combined goal of poverty reduction and improvement of    the environment through the implementation of integral sustainable development management concepts.

This is an initiative that emerges in response to the regional challenge of reducing poverty through the constitution of a pluralistic community with high levels of human security, based on economic growth, environmental sustainability, social equity and robust ties of integration and cooperation.

The beneficiaries of the Programme are Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), Cooperatives and other organizations that are dedicated to support SMEs and Cooperatives (NGO's, public entities, etc.). The integral sustainable improvement of SMEs and Cooperatives constitutes a contribution to human development through generation of employment and opportunities for individuals and communities and the improvement of the management of natural resources, which facilitates the access to these resources not only to present generations but also to future ones.

The Programme began in January, 2003. It is financed by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and executed by CEGESTI . Through this Programme it is expected to create synergy with other regional initiatives to maximize the number of actors and beneficiaries and, in this way, to guarantee that the actions established attend effectively the specific needs of the region.

Objectives

•      To strengthen the capacity of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMES) and cooperatives from Central America and the Dominican Republic (CA & DR) to implement integral sustainable development strategies, leading to increased competitiveness through the improvement of the environmental and social impact.

•      To identify environmental market niches and opportunities for SMES and cooperatives from Central  America and the Dominican Republic at local level and in Europe, and to develop strategies to effectively access these new markets.

•         To establish and/or strengthen a permanent local capacity in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Dominican Republic to implement CEGESTI’s methodologies related to sustainable development.

•        To strengthen the capacity of organizations, public entities and development initiatives for them to be able to give a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the region.

Expected Results

•      Methodology for the implementation of Integral Sustainable Development in SMES and Cooperatives of CA & DR.

•      Improvements in the competitive position of SMES and Cooperatives due to the implementation of the Integral Sustainable Development.

•      A regional recognition mechanism for SMES and cooperatives that have achieved significant results on sustainable development to increase the awareness about the importance of this approach.

•      Assessment of activities and policies applied by Local Export Promotion Offices in Central America and the Dominican Republic on the promotion of environmental and sustainable market niches.

•      Identification of market niches for environmentally sound products.

•      A self-sustaining capacity in Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and Dominican Republic, for the implementation of methodologies related to the Integral Sustainable Development.

•      SMES and Cooperatives support organizations strengthened their capacity on Integral Sustainable Development.