On 12 October 2021 at 14.30-15.20 CET, the Green Industry Platform, in collaboration with the Global Opportunities for Sustainable Development Goals (GO4SDGs), will host a workshop on "In Africa for Africa: Weaving solutions for textile circularity challenges" as part of the Circular Economy conference track of The World Resources Forum 2021 (WRF2021).
This workshop will focus on how to bridge the communication gap between brands/retailers and the SMEs in their supply chains through the different tiers. This involves SMEs involved in textile production, yarn and fabric production, as well as fibre production
Importantly, this workshop will also consider how to deliver a more coordinated support structure for both brands/retailers and SME suppliers based on the variety of existing support services provided by national and international organisations.
The key objectives this workshop will address are:
- The business driver: How to support brands/retailers to collaborate on circularity efforts across shared value chains to provide a uniform and fair sustainability procurement process for SME suppliers
- Becoming circular to improve business: How to support SMEs in proactively benefiting from the business opportunities offered by circularity – both to stand out through their own business model innovations and to meet increasingly stringent requirements of their existing brand clients; with a view to helping SMEs access the most appropriate support services to improve their circularity
The workshop will bring together SMEs and brands/retailers from the textile sector in Africa to voice their aspirations and challenges, while also engaging with other value chain stakeholders such as intermediary organisations such as business associations, NGOs, government agencies, development organizations and financial institutions.
Click here for detailed agenda
Speakers
Mr. Isaac Maluki, CEO, Shona EPZ Ltd., Kenya
Mr. Karfa Yacoro, Director of Commerce et Artisanat pour le Bien Être Social (CABES), Burkina Faso
Ms. Fatouma Sawadogo Maiga, National Coordinator (Burkina Faso), Ethical Fashion Initiative
Ms. Wandia Gichuru, CEO, Vivo Active Wear, Kenya
Moderator: Ms. Zubeida Zwavel, Executive Director, Centre for African Resource Efficiency and Sustainability (CARES)
As Programme Partner of WRF2021, the workshop provides the Green Industry Platform with the opportunity to bring the end-user perspective (companies required to implement the changes recommended by national and international entities) to the heart of the circularity discussion.
Limited free tickets are available! Write to [email protected] to secure your free registration!
The Green Industry Platform has the mission to provide tailored resource efficiency knowledge and support services to businesses, in particular SMEs. To be able to engage with the very diverse and large numbers of SMEs on a country level, the Green Industry Platform has developed the I-GO initiative to develop a clear business case for resource efficiency and then align the relevant guidance, capacity building and financing with the daily operations of an individual SME.