AL-INVEST Verde is a programme carried out by the European Commission that was launched in December 2021 with the objective of promoting sustainable growth and job creation by supporting the transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy in Latin America.

In this sense, last Tuesday 23 May, in the premises of the Hotel NH Collection Plaza Santiago, was held the launch of two projects that are part of the AL-INVEST Verde program, where Eurochile Business Foundation, in its capacity as leader, was awarded together with its two European partners -Promos Italy and Agropolis International of France- a project for the fruit sector, together with its two European partners -Promos Italy and Agropolis International from France- was awarded a project for the fruit sector. On the other hand, the Spanish entity, Eurecat, as leader, was awarded a project for the construction sector, where Eurochile will participate as a co-executing partner. Both projects are mainly aimed at promoting sustainability and circular economy in Chilean MSMEs and business organisations (EOs).

During the activity, professionals from the executing entities presented the projects, their scope, milestones, objectives and the regions where the workshops will take place; European experts and national and international authorities also participated and shared their different points of view based on what is being implemented today in both sectors.

Among the participating authorities were Vicente Caruz, President of the Eurochile Business Foundation; Andrés Zahler, Senior Innovation Advisor, Ministry of Economy, Development and Tourism; Ewout Sandker, Head of Cooperation, Delegation of the European Union in Chile; Andrea Bonalumi, Director of Promos Italia, National Agency of the Italian Chambers of Commerce Network; Claudio Maggi, Strategic Affairs Manager of Corfo and Antonio Walker, President of the National Farmers’ Association (SNA).

During the course of the activity, several expert panels were held, where Europeans and their Chilean counterparts presented and discussed the progress made in the construction and agriculture sectors in both regions, as well as the way in which these two areas have been able to move towards a more sustainable and circular system.

In the fruit sector, the programme will last 24 months and aims to benefit 300 MSMEs and 15 Business Organisations (BOS) in the regions of O’Higgins, Biobío and Los Lagos so that they can move towards more sustainable and circular agri-food systems, while the construction programme – over the course of 30 months – proposes to strengthen and improve the linkages of 200 MSMEs and their Business Organisations in the Metropolitan Region and the Los Lagos Region.

The event was an excellent opportunity to highlight the efforts of Chile and Europe in the fight against climate change, as well as to share experiences and good practices in sustainable development. In addition, the challenges and opportunities faced by companies and entrepreneurs in this context were discussed, and innovative solutions to promote sustainability and business competitiveness were presented.

It should be noted that the AL-INVEST Verde programme is a European Union initiative that seeks to promote sustainable investment and trade in Latin America, and that its launch in the framework of the commemoration of the 30th anniversary of the Eurochile Foundation was a sign of the commitment of both regions to sustainability and economic and social development.

Ultimately, the successful launch of this programme in commemoration of the Foundation’s 30th anniversary has reflected the importance being given to sustainability and economic and trade cooperation for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly future.

About AL-INVEST Verde

AL-INVEST Verde is a European Union (EU) programme whose main objective is to promote sustainable growth and job creation in Latin America by supporting the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economy. Through Component 1, led by sequa, the programme manages funds for the implementation of innovative small business partnership projects to boost sustainable practices in the private sector.

Further information: www.alinvest-verde.eu