INNOVATING POLICY INSTRUMENTS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP

INNOVATING POLICY INSTRUMENTS THAT SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE AND RESPONSIBLE ENTREPRENEURSHIP FOR GREEN AND INCLUSIVE ECONOMIES.

The GFL Practitioner Labs for Policy Prototyping (PLPP) bring together policy-makers, eco-inclusive enterprises and other relevant stakeholders (such as enterprise support organisations, networks, and financial institutions) to design policy instruments.

The policy solutions developed are designed to serve the needs of eco-inclusive enterprises, and tackle policy challenges specific to the entrepreneurial ecosystem in green sectors.

The PLPP work towards innovative, tailor-made policy solutions that enable small and growing eco-inclusive enterprises to start, scale, and maximise their environmental, social and economic impacts.

A complete PLPP Cycle operates over the course of a 12-month period, and the works are divided into five phases:

1 | CHALLENGE IDENTIFICATION
2 | KICK-OFF LAB
3 | REFINEMENT
4 | SCALE UP
5 | PILOT IMPLEMENTATION

1 | CHALLENGE IDENTIFICATION

Identify challenges facing growing eco-inclusive enterprises

In a first phase, together with our partners, we map key stakeholders and actors (policy makers, change makers, enterprise support organisations, enterprises, and implementing partners), their relationships, and existing policy mechanisms to provide a snapshot of the policy-making landscape in the target country. At the same time, we identify sector-specific challenges and opportunities to support the growth of eco-inclusive enterprises.

Outcomes: At the end of this phase, we publish an input paper mapping the policy landscape, key stakeholders, policy gaps and potential points of intervention. We then identify challenge hosts to drive the policy prototyping process on topics relevant to their work.

2 | KICK-OFF LAB

Co-create policy instruments for green and inclusive enterprises

The Kick-Off Lab is a two-day workshop designed to co-create policy prototypes to the identified policy gaps and challenges.

The prototyping process is facilitated by hands-on and collaborative GFL prototyping tools and makes use of the expertise of participants. All prototypes are challenged and validated by enterprises, who join to share their experience and ensure that prototypes are relevant and accessible.

At the end of the Kick-Off Lab, challenge hosts come away with a clear action plan for the next stages of prototype refinement and partner engagement.

Outcomes: The first innovative policy instrument prototypes are developed.

3 | REFINEMENT

Refine prototypes based on multi-stakeholder feedback

Challenge Hosts seek additional insights and validation of the prototypes. Through iterative testing with eco-inclusive enterprises and user groups, these policy solutions are refined and validated. Together with GFL, challenge hosts also identify potential collaboration and partnership opportunities for piloting of the policy prototype.

Outcomes: Refined and validated solution prototypes ready for the Scale-Up Lab.

4 | SCALE UP

Pitch prototypes, develop roadmap & fortify partnerships

The Scale-Up Lab brings together policy makers, challenge groups, potential implementers and financers to develop a roadmap for implementation and mobilise support for the prototype.

Outcomes: Refined prototypes are presented to policy-makers and implementers. Partnerships are mobilised and potential sources of funding are identified to support the next steps of prototype piloting and scale-up.

5 | PILOT IMPLEMENTATION

Delivery of policy solutions for eco-inclusive enterprises

After the Scale-up Lab, GFL supports challenge hosts to finalise policy briefs that contextualise the prototypes within national and international policy frameworks, and identify potential social and environmental impacts of the policy. Further efforts to mobilise support from other governmental and non-governmental stakeholders towards the pilot roll-out will be explored.

CORE TOPICS

Green Technologies

Green technologies offer huge potential for increased productivity, resource efficiency and innovation. Eco-inclusive enterprises which apply green technologies significantly contribute to climate change mitigation and economic and social inclusion. GFL supports enterprises who use information and communication technologies to share agronomic practices and extend access to financing, develop e-commerce markets for sustainable consumption and transport, process agricultural waste into energy sources for heating and cooking, produce biodegradable goods such as plates from natural fibres, deliver mobile classroom infrastructure to communities and more.
Clean Energy

Affordable and reliable clean energy for all is essential to social and economic development, public health, and the mitigation of climate change. The activities of GFL-supported enterprises in the energy sector promote resource efficient and renewable energy solutions that equip energy-deprived communities with off-grid and low-carbon technologies. These enterprises revolutionise cooking, heating and electrification solutions through the use of innovative production, financing and distribution models – often in partnership with cooperatives, local-level micro-entrepreneurs and others.
Sustainable Agriculture

Hunger eradication, adequate nutrition and food security depend on the adoption of sustainable agriculture solutions with clear social and environmental targets. GFL-supported enterprises deliver entrepreneurial solutions to improve the agricultural sector’s resource efficiency and crop yields while ensuring that communities are able to adapt to climate change. Exemplary GFL-supported enterprises cultivate indigenous and nutritious crops, manufacture environmentally friendly fertilisers, deliver real-time market insights and training services using accessible technology and more.
Natural climate solutions
Natural climate solutions (NCS) are proven ways of reducing carbon emissions and storing them in the world’s forests, grasslands and wetlands.
- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), related to land use.
- Capturing and storing additional CO2 from the atmosphere, and maintaining its flow into existing sinks.
- Improving the resilience and adaptation possibilities of ecosystems, and so helping communities adjust to the increases in flooding and dry spells of our changing climate.
Nature-based solutions are estimated to have the potential to lift a billion people out of poverty; create 80 million jobs; add an additional $2.3 trillion of growth to the global economy, and also prevent $3.7 trillion of climate change damages.

GFL LIBRARY →

Waste Management

From waste reduction to collection, recycling and upcycling, GFL supports enterprises in the waste management sector in order to innovate closed-loop business models that gather and repurpose materials.
Water, Sanitation & Health (WASH)

Safe water and adequate sanitation for all are central to public health, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability. GFL supports enterprises in the water, sanitation and health (WASH) sector designing products and services that support healthy and sustainable livelihoods through improved water security and greater access to adequate sanitation facilities.
Sustainable Transport Infrastructure

The key qualifying criteria for Sustainable Transport as sustainable infrastructure is its contribution towards sustainable development. Therefore, any transport infrastructure that limits the effectiveness of the steps being taken for sustainable development does not ordinarily qualify as sustainable transport systems. GFL-supported enterprises deliver entrepreneurial solutions to improve projects often characterised by a) increased transportation-related carbon emissions, b) lower energy efficiency, and promotion of greater use of fossil fuels in the transportation sector, c) increased water and noise pollution and impacts on ecosystems, d) design limitations that do not take into account environmentally sustainable practices and materials, and e) disregard the access requirements for pedestrians, bicycles, people with disabilities or older adults. Such transport projects are not typically classifiable as sustainable infrastructure projects.
Enterprise Resilience

MSMEs make up a large part of local economies and communities, and building resilience to future shocks is essential to protecting local incomes and long-term employment for communities. Enterprise resilience is an indispensable characteristic that sees MSMEs be prepared for the unknown, and deal with drops in demand, medium to long-term business model disruptions, and substantial loss of income and livelihood.