Latest news with #GreenForward
L'Orient-Le Jour
01-08-2025
- Business
- L'Orient-Le Jour
Tripoli conference dedicated to corporate ecological transition
The city of Tripoli, in northern Lebanon, hosted the Green Forward 2025 conference this week, dedicated to the ecological transition of Lebanese businesses, organizers said. The event, which was held on Wednesday at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli (CCIAT), brought together more than 150 participants and stakeholders, "including business support organizations [BSOs], SMEs, policymakers and experts from Lebanon, the European Union and the Global South." Organized by the Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT), in partnership with the NGO SPARK and funded by the European Union, the conference is part of the Green Forward program, which "aims to encourage the development of a sustainable and circular economy in Lebanon and North Africa." Seven countries are targeted: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine and Tunisia. Green Forward is the first component of a larger project, Green and Circular Economy in the Southern Neighborhood, launched under the European Neighborhood Policy and supported by a budget of 4 million euros over two years (2024-2026). "In Lebanon and the southern Mediterranean region, the program's goal is to strengthen the capacities of business support organizations [BSOs] so that they become ecosystem facilitators, bridging the gap between policies and their implementation on the ground," a statement said.
Web Release
31-07-2025
- Business
- Web Release
Green Forward Conference 2025 to Propel Lebanon's Green and Circular Economy Transition
Lebanon was set to take a major step toward a more sustainable future with the Green Forward Conference 2025, which took place on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Tripoli (CCIAT). Organized by the Business Incubation Association in Tripoli (BIAT), in partnership with the international, non-governmental organization SPARK, and with the financial support of the European Union, the conference was a central component of the Green Forward programme in Lebanon and a key platform for shaping the country's green economy transition. The conference brought together more than 150 participants, including Business Support Organizations (BSOs), SMEs, policymakers, and experts from Lebanon, the European Union, and the wider Southern Neighborhood, as well as many stakeholders engaged in Lebanon's economic and environmental development. It served as a platform for knowledge exchange, the development of partnerships, and the creation of a national roadmap to guide Lebanon's transition to a green and circular economy. The Green Forward programme, funded by the European Union, aims to foster a green and circular economy in the Southern Neighbourhood region, which includes countries in the Middle East and North Africa. The programme operates at three levels: macro, meso, and micro, implemented respectively by a consortium comprising Expertise France, SPARK, and UNIDO. The programme's meso-level component is implemented by SPARK in collaboration with partners across seven countries: Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia. In Lebanon and across the Southern Mediterranean region, the programme's aim is to enhance the capacity of business support organisations (BSOs) to serve as ecosystem enablers, bridging the gap between policy and practice. Green Forward does this by addressing the practical needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in adopting sustainable and circular economy practices. By equipping BSOs with tools, training, and opportunities for regional collaboration, the programme commits to fostering job creation, economic opportunity, and alignment with the principles of the European Green Deal in Lebanon and beyond. Through its intervention in Lebanon, the Green Forward programme is set to deliver a range of strategic outputs to advance the green and circular economy. 10 Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) will be signed between Business Support Organisations (BSOs) and key Lebanon-based stakeholders in the green and circular economy, as part of an international conference. 6 workshops and roundtables will be organized to encourage peer learning and partnerships, complemented by peer pod meetings held between sessions. 4 BSOs will benefit from capacity-building support to strengthen their role as green ecosystem enablers, while 3 green BSOs will receive specialized training on green and circular economy practices. A practical toolbox will be developed to assess the integration of sustainability and the circular economy, with 30 SMEs engaged to test it. The programme will also support the development of a national roadmap for a green business network and launch an awareness campaign to highlight the impact and opportunities of the green and circular economy in Lebanon. To build on these efforts, a networking working group of 24 public and private stakeholders, including 3 green BSOs, will be established to foster multi?stakeholder collaboration. This group will convene annually to validate progress and outputs, ultimately leading to the formulation of one policy recommendation. 'Through the Green Forward programme, we are reinforcing the institutional capacity of business support organisations to serve as key enablers of the green and circular transition across the region. This approach ensures long-term impact by equipping local actors to drive sustainable entrepreneurship, green job creation, and low-carbon innovation.'— Afef Ajengui, Regional Programme Manager of the Green Forward programme at SPARK. 'This initiative aims to build the capacity of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to become vital ecosystem enablers, closing the gap between policy frameworks and the real needs of SMEs. By fostering innovation, encouraging sustainability, and promoting collaboration, the program drives the shift toward an inclusive and resilient green economy.'– Mr. Nasri Mouawad, Chairman of BIAT. The conference featured expert discussions on green business models, ESG practices, and circular economy strategies, along with interactive sessions to facilitate meaningful collaboration across sectors. Two dedicated panels moderated by Maurice Matta enriched the program: the first panel titled 'Building a Green Business Ecosystem in Lebanon', featured H.E. Dr. Nasser Yassin, former Minister of Environment in Lebanon, Ghada El-Armali, International Green Economy & Sustainable Growth Expert, and Dr. Hasan Youness, Entrepreneur, Academician, Exec. Committee Ecoswitch Coalition; the second panel titled 'Green Businesses – Success Stories', included Omar Itani, founder of 'FabricAid', Batoul Hakim, founder of 'Savvy Element', Ziad Abi Chaker, founder of 'Cedar Environmental', and Khalil Haykal, EBRD Representative. The conference led to multiple partnership agreements and a shared vision for a vibrant green business network in Lebanon. This initiative aligns with the broader goals of the European Green Deal and seeks to foster economic resilience through sustainability. By empowering local actors and fostering innovation, the Green Forward programme positions Lebanon as an active participant in regional efforts to build a greener, more circular future.
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-06-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Cairo Hosts 2nd Green Growth Summit under the theme 'Unlocking Solutions and Innovative Finance' - Sponsored
Following the success of its inaugural edition, Hivos is convening the Green Growth Summit for the second consecutive year in June 2025. The Summit will once again serve as a high-level, platform to unlock solutions and innovative finance for a green and inclusive future in Egypt and the wider MENA region. With climate risks escalating and youth unemployment persisting, the MENA region stands at a critical juncture. Yet the emergence of green startups, scalable SMEs, and blended finance tools offers a promising path forward. From sustainable agriculture to clean energy, the green economy is becoming a cornerstone of future-ready job creation. The Green Growth Summit 2025 seeks to harness this momentum and scale up the innovations needed to turn potential into year, the event is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands through the Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) and is organized in partnership with Stichting SPARK as part of the EU-funded Green Forward programme, and with Finance in Motion, advisor to the Green for Growth Fund (GGF). In 2024, the Green Growth Summit made a strong impact by connecting entrepreneurs, investors, and policymakers to catalyze strategic collaborations. This year, the Green Growth Summit aims to continue translating this momentum into measurable action by mobilizing capital and building partnerships to accelerate Egypt's green economy. 'The Green Growth Summit is more than a convening. It's a commitment to build a fairer, greener economy. By translating insights into investment and partnerships, we are shaping a just green transition grounded in inclusion and innovation,' said Ahmed Ben Nejma, Challenge Fund for a Just Transition Project Manager at Hivos. The 2025 Summit will be structured around four core tracks, with a strong emphasis on youth inclusion, gender equity, and measurable impact: Green Investment Management: Unlocking investment pipelines for green SMEs, such as through ESG frameworks and risk-return models. Blended Finance Innovation: Examining de-risking instruments, tools and models to channel more funding to climate solutions. Future-Proof Employment & Green Value Chains: Catalyzing decent green jobs through sustainable production, value-chain support, and cluster development. Sector Spotlights – AgriTech, Health Care & AI: Highlighting opportunities at the intersection of digital and green innovation to shape Egypt's sustainable economy. The summit will bring together a curated group of changemakers and institutions leading Egypt's green transition, including green startups, scaleups, and SMEs; innovation accelerators and incubators; local and international investors, development finance institutions (DFIs), and venture capital funds (VCs); donors and development partners focused on economic inclusion; as well as policymakers and experts shaping the country's green strategy. 'This Summit is about creating momentum that lasts beyond the event itself. It's where ideas evolve into initiatives, and partnerships become pathways to real, inclusive growth. We're empowering the ecosystem that green entrepreneurs and youth need to thrive,' added Ben Nejma. The Green Growth Summit is set to be a landmark event on Egypt's sustainability calendar, bridging vision with action to accelerate a just, inclusive, and climate-resilient economy. For press inquiries or partnership opportunities, please contact: Imen Boudali Communications Officer, Hivos MENA Email: [email protected] Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Morocco World
07-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Enactus Morocco Launches ‘Green Forward' Program to Boost Green Transition
Rabat – Enactus Morocco has unveiled the 'Green Forward' program aimed at strengthening organizations that support green businesses. As part of its commitment to accelerate Morocco's shift toward sustainability, this EU-funded initiative hopes to supply business support organizations with the required tools to help micro, small, and medium enterprises adopt environmentally friendly practices. The program is set to tackle challenges these support structures currently face, including limited resources, difficult access to green financing, and the need for better organization to provide effective assistance to businesses transitioning to sustainability. 'Green Forward will provide essential resources and create a framework that allows support organizations to better guide small businesses through ecological transition,' said a statement from Enactus Morocco, which is implementing the program in partnership with international NGO SPARK. The initiative focuses on four key areas. It is poised to enhance the capabilities of business support organizations, developing practical tools and tailored training. It also hopes to create a platform for networking opportunities between different stakeholders, as well as draft policy recommendations to integrate green economy principles into public policy. Morocco isn't alone in this effort. Green Forward is part of a broader initiative spanning seven countries in the Southern Neighborhood region, including Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, and Tunisia, all working toward promoting a green and circular economy. Read also: Report Finds 'Significant Gaps' in Morocco's Transition to Green Energy Enactus Morocco has issued a call for interest to Moroccan business support organizations, offering them the chance to enhance their skills, expand their impact, and contribute to a more sustainable Moroccan economy. Interested organizations can apply by completing an application form by April 10. With over 20 years of experience supporting young entrepreneurs, Enactus Morocco has trained more than 120,000 young people and supports approximately 600 high-impact projects annually. It has also facilitated the development of about 100 innovative and sustainable startups since 2015. SPARK, the international NGO overseeing the broader initiative, brings 30 years of experience working with youth in fragile regions affected by conflict. The NGO focuses on creating high-impact jobs for young people, including women and refugees, by improving access to higher education, internships, and entrepreneurship opportunities. Tags: Enactus MoroccoGreen Businesses in MoroccoGreen forwardMorocco
