Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is excited to announce that it is partnering with the International Trade Center (ITC) and Strathmore University Business School to launch a Trade for Sustainable Development Hub (T4SD). T4SD is a coaching program aimed at strengthening the implementation of sustainable business practices of SMEs. The objective of the Kenya hub is to assist export-ready small and medium sized enterprises ease their participation in sustainable global value chains by better understanding and implementing sustainable trade issues such as climate change adaptation, resource efficiency, circular economy, green finance, market access, and voluntary sustainability standards.
ITC seeks to support sustainability in SMEs
The International Trade Center is a joint agency of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations. Established in 1964, it seeks to promote the internationalization of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in an effort to boost income levels and create jobs in emerging economies. In supporting these SMEs in becoming more competitive and connecting to international markets for trade and investment, the International Trade Center is especially beneficial for women, young people, and the poor.
With the aim of contributing to the achievement of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals, the ITC will be establishing Trade for Sustainable Development Hubs in Kenya, Ghana, Vietnam, and Peru. The hubs will provide integrated solutions for SMEs in the implementation of green business practices. To do so, they will act as one-stop shops for SMEs to build green business strategies to access green finance and international markets for sustainable products.
Technical assistance for SMEs to boost trade and sustainability
The ITC T4SD Hubs offer the needed technical assistance for SMEs to build the capacity and knowledge to implement green business practices through its services focusing on the key aspects such as sustainability standards, climate resilience and resource efficiency. The hubs base their integrated solutions around the following focus areas where the organization has a comparative advantage in:
1. providing trade and market intelligence
2. building a conducive business environment
3. strengthening trade and investment support institutions
4. connecting to international value chains
5. promoting and mainstreaming inclusive and green trade
6. supporting regional economic integration and South-South links
KCIC and Strathmore Business School will be working with ITC to implement and coordinate a coaching programme and International Master Class aimed at strengthening the implementation of sustainable business practices of SMEs. The coaching programme will be implemented as a blended learning approach of e-learning and customized face-to-face coaching sessions and incorporates the ITC’s existing tools and services. The programme will be rolled out during a 2-year period (per Hub) and will cover:
1. Circular Economy: Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
2. Sustainability Map and Sustainability Standards
3. Climate Resilience Toolkit
4. Positioning sustainable products in the international market
5. Accessing green finance and markets for sustainable products
The official launch will be happening on the 4th of April at Strathmore Business School.
