|
SWITCH ASIA
The SWITCH ASIA programme addresses
a desire by the European Union to change
the Asian production and consumption towards
sustainable development. To that end, the
European Union has put 23 million euros
into a second round of projects that can
help achieve this shift.
The programme
Sustainable production and consumption is
an attempt to reconcile the increasing demand
for goods and services in Asia in an attempt
to minimize the use of natural resources,
toxic materials and discharges of wastes
and pollutants, so as not to put future
generations at risk. Therefore, the SWITCH
ASIA programme is divided in projects focusing
on production, and projects focusing on
consumption:
- Sustainable production is concerned
with the supply side and has focus on
the economic, social and environmental
impacts of production.
- Sustainable consumption is concerned
the demand side and has focus on consumer
behaviour and choice of products and services.
The SWITCH programme's focus is small and
medium-sized enterprises in Asia, where
the project actions could lead to direct
or indirect poverty alleviation, through
the elimination of water pollution, waste
and air pollution that directly affect households
in the vicinity of the production. The purpose
of the SWITCH program is also to increase
work and income opportunities by increasing
production to meet international environmental
standards, and improve competitiveness through
resource savings and better access to the
supply chains of international businesses.
In addition, the purpose of the programme
to improve conditions for both male and
female workers through the promotion of
corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives
as decent working conditions and protection
of children rights.
- Focus Activities for SWITCH ASIA programme:
- Promotion of the use of environmentally
friendly technologies and practices
- Promotion of changes in consumption
patterns towards less environmentally
harmful habits
- Strengthening and implementation of
legal and environmental safety measures.
- Development and implementation of effective
economic instruments that can strengthen
sustainable production and consumption
patterns.
Participating Criteria
Participants in the SWITCH ASIA programme
must be non-profit organization, business
intermediaries, networks, and government
institutions interested in sustainable development.
Organizations and institutions must be able
to demonstrate their ability to be able
to cover a large number of companies or
consumer groups.
The partnership will consist of a minimum
two partners, one from Europe and one from
one of the following Asian countries:
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia,
China (Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan not included),
India, Indonesia, Korea, Laos, Myanmar,
Malaysia, Maldives, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan,
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam.
Grant Size
Projects with focus on sustainable production
can be supported with a minimum of 1 million
euros and a maximum of 2.5 million euros
over a maximum of four years. Consumption
Projects can be supported with a minimum
of half a million euros and a maximum of
1 million euros over a maximum of three
years. Projects can be supported by no more
than 80 percent of the total project budget,
except in the least developed countries
where funding level is 90 percent.
Further information
For more information about SWITCH ASIA program
can be found at the following website: http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/where/asia/regional-cooperation/environment/switch_en.htm
Interested companies or organizations are
welcome to contact the South Denmark Asia
office: info@sdao.dk
|
