Future Perfect

Participants in the GreenEvo project are ready to

share their technologies, experience and expertise, with

countries facing environmental problems.

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) on the green path

SMEs have an important role in the Polish economy,

not only because they make up the vast majority of all

companies, but because they are responsible for a large

part of the GDP. It is essential to ensure they operate

according to environmental standards and contribute

to a green economy.

Financing is of major importance to SMEs, so the focus

should be on ensuring accessible and affordable solutions

for these enterprises. In Poland, SMEs are encouraged

to use the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme manage-

ment system, ISO14000 or corporate social responsibility

standards. This helps them to voluntarily create their

own strategies for environmentally friendly actions and,

at the same time, improve their economic and financial

performance. The role of the Government in this process

is to provide SMEs with relevant information and demon-

strate the potential benefits.

In addition, Poland is also taking action in the following:

• Identifying and evaluating sustainable production

patterns used by SMEs, along with current trends

and development in this area

• Identifying SME sectors with the greatest influence

on the environment and assessing their capabilities

in implementing sustainable production

• Identifying barriers to implementing sustainable

production

• Recognizing competency gaps – including

knowledge and skills – of entrepreneurs and those

employed in SMEs, within a green economy context

• Defining appropriate forms of support, incentives

and proposals, for changes in the law.

Research and investment are vital

The strategies adopted in Poland are supported by a

number of measures as described here, with limited

funds channelled towards stimulating sustainable and

green growth. As the global situation is dynamic, it

is difficult to build the framework so that it is resil-

ient to new challenges within it, but we are doing our

utmost to be flexible and adapt quickly. To maintain

a competitive edge, the emphasis must be on research

and development, investment in human capital, and

sustainable and green-based growth.

We know that Poland has a relatively short history

on the path to green growth. However, the country has

an excellent record in managing the transformation to a

market-based economy and steady growth; switching to

sustainable mode is simply another transformation we

are initiating. With this in mind, coupled with the fact

that our transformation was prompted by the Solidarity

movement and has always been based on the principle

of solidarity, we are ready to share our experience and

hope some countries will find this helpful on their way

towards a green and sustainable economy.

only for investment projects in line with the objectives of the inter-

national environmental agreements. Decisions to finance projects

were made on the basis of their eligibility, after the project effective-

ness had been established. All decisions had to be approved by the

Foundation Council, which was made up of representatives from

Poland and the donor countries.

Given that many developing countries are facing significant prob-

lems in mobilizing financial resources for greening their domestic

economies – while being committed to paying their debts – the

eco-conversion approach is a widely used support tool that is flex-

ible enough to be tailored to specific national circumstances, needs

and priorities. Poland is ready to share its experience to facilitate

progression towards a green economy.

Green Technology Accelerator

The aim of this project is to help Polish green technologies win

foreign market share. The Accelerator (GreenEvo) is designed

to make it easier for companies to find appropriate sources of

co-financing for the projects they undertake. It provides entrepre-

neurs with help to navigate a complex maze of legislation, rules and

regulations, in order to make use of the support available to produc-

ers of environmental solutions.

The project involves carrying out studies of selected international

markets and identifying the needs of countries to which technologies

could be transferred. Companies selected for GreenEvo participate

in a series of specialized training sessions in which they learn how to

manage their products in a competitive environment. Training also

covers the appropriate legal regulations and the technical standards

relevant to the markets they are interested in.

[

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ustainability

olicies

, P

rogrammes

and

their

conomic

mpact

SMEs are encouraged to create strategies for environmentally friendly actions

Image: Ministry of Environment, Poland