The project Anchoring Sustainable Value Chains in Brazil aims to support the transition to a circular and low-carbon economy by strengthening sustainability management in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) integrated into the value chains of large companies in the country.

This initiative is part of the AL-INVEST Verde program, funded by the European Union*, and is carried out by the Center for Sustainability Studies of FGV EAESP in partnership with the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and the Official Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Brazil.

Areas of Focus

Focus area 1: Capacity Development

Objective
Conduct a training process for SMEs partnering with anchor companies in their value chains.

Activities
- Selection and engagement of anchor companies and their partner SMEs
- Planning the workshop cycle 
- Engaging experts to participate in the workshops
- Conducting the workshops
- Supporting SMEs between workshops
- Applying diagnostic and impact assessment questionnaires to participating SMEs

Outputs
- Launch event to present the project in detail and facilitate interaction among various actors in the business sustainability and circular economy ecosystem.
- Workshop cycle for anchor companies and their partner SMEs, employing a transdisciplinary approach and focusing on topics such as sustainability management; materiality, transparency, and reporting; circular economy and lifecycle thinking; greenhouse gas emissions management; value chains, human rights, and social aspects.

Focus area 2: Knowledge Production

Objective 2.1
Identify challenges and opportunities, barriers, and enablers for promoting the circular economy in selected value chains in Brazil.

Activities
- Gathering primary and secondary data
- Conducting case calls to identify and analyze benchmarks in SME
- Interviewing key stakeholders
- Performing a rapid context review
- Organizing shared experiences and lessons learned in Community of Practice meetings

Output
Report on fostering the circular economy in the value chains selected by the project.

Objective 2.2
Map standards, regulations, and best practices in Europe related to ESG, circular economy, and innovative technological solutions.

Activities
- Gathering secondary data
- Preparing a report

Output
Report on regulations, best practices, and innovative technological solutions in ESG and circular economy in Europe.

Focus area 3: Networks and Exchange

Objective 3.1
- Identify gaps and challenges in improving circular economy and sustainability practices in selected value chains.
- Strengthen the support ecosystem for SMEs, including access to financing, regulation, export opportunities, and more.

Activities
- Mapping and engaging potential partner organizations (governments, NGOs, development agencies, etc.) and activating a multi-stakeholder network to facilitate knowledge sharing and promote partnerships
- Creating a Community of Practice with a cycle of meetings
- Communicating and engaging anchor companies, partner SMEs, and reference SMEs
- Conducting Community of Practice meetings

Output
Community of Practice meeting cycle.

Objective 3.2
Support business opportunities in Europe for selected SMEs.

Activities
- Enabling SMEs to participate in business events and matchmaking rounds
- Selecting high-performing SMEs from the workshops to participate in a trade mission to Europe
- Planning and executing the trade mission 

Output
International studies mission to Europe for SMEs demonstrating outstanding performance in the capacity development activities.

Focus Area 4: Integration and Dissemination

Objective 4.1
Promote the project's dissemination and outreach.

Activities
- Developing the project's communication strategy
- Managing communications
- Building relationships with communications and press departments
- Monitoring indicators

Outputs
- Newsletters for stakeholder mailing lists
- Posts and publications on social media
- Participation in external events to share the project’s deliverables and results

Objective 4.2
Present the project’s final results and highlight participating SMEs and their respective anchor companies.

Activities
- Developing and implementing a communication strategy for the project and events
- Sending invitations to project participants and other stakeholders
- Planning and executing the events

Output
Two final in-person project events – one in Brazil and one in Europe.

Reports on European ESG and Circular economy practices and technologies The Spanish Chamber of Commerce presents an essential report for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) interested in strengthening their commitment to sustainability in the European Union. Developed in collaboration with Forética within the framework of the 'Anchoring Sustainable Value Chains in Brazil' project, co-financed by the European Union (EU) through the AL-INVEST Verde program, the document provides a comprehensive view of the regulations and certifications available in the EU and Spain, as well as innovative technological solutions and a series of business success stories to improve companies' sustainability performance and increase their competitiveness in the European market. With a practical and useful approach, the report serves as a strategic tool for companies looking to stand out in an increasingly sustainability-oriented business environment. The content provides a real-time overview of the situation at the time of its publication, in December 2023. It is important to consider that changes may have occurred in the following months. The publication was made with the financial support of the European Union, through Sequa. Its content is the sole responsibility of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, Sequa, or the consortium responsible for implementing the AL-INVEST Verde program. Acess the portuguese version here or the spanish version here

Reports on circular economy promotion in selected value chains Developed by FGVces within the framework of the project 'Anchoring Sustainable Value Chains in Brazil,' this report presents the results of a study that aimed to identify challenges, opportunities, barriers, and enablers for promoting the circular economy in Brazilian value chains, focusing on the energy and telecommunications sectors. In addition to the literature review, the research is also heavily based on data, lessons learned, and results generated throughout the project, offering valuable recommendations to drive the circular economy in the country. This publication was produced with financial support from the European Union, through Sequa, a development organization. Its content is entirely the responsibility of the Center for Sustainability Studies at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGVces) and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, Sequa, or the consortium responsible for implementing the AL-INVEST Verde program. Acess here

* The "AL-INVEST Verde" program was designed to direct EU investments to support the creation of partnerships with the private sector in Latin America. Its overall goal is to promote sustainable growth and job creation by supporting the transition to a circular, low-carbon, and efficient economy in Latin America.