LocationsEntrepreneurs learn how doing the right thing for planet and people can be good for business too
Kyiv, 21 July 2020 – Ukrainian entrepreneurs who want to make the switch from a linear to a circular economy can now click into an innovative new online course that will help make their business models more sustainable. The course, launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and called “Act further: Sustainable development for businesses,” aims to help businesspeople identify ways to integrate the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals into their business development strategies.
Commenting on the course, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine Dafina Gercheva said there doesn’t have to be a tradeoff between prosperity and sustainability when it comes to doing business.
“The private sector can be socially and environmentally responsible, while at the same time keeping their businesses prosperous and contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals,” Gercheva said.
By integrating the SDGs in their development plans, the private sector could help drive change across a range of issues, from food insecurity and climate change, to unsustainable production and consumption, she added.
“Globally, responsible companies are becoming change agents, by investing their resources in producing public goods and protecting the planet in partnership with civil society and government. And the role of business is crucial for Ukraine to advance national development agenda and achieve the country’s priorities.”
The course programme consists of four modules, with one packed with experts’ comments, practical guidance and best practices of European countries in the area of SDG implementation for small- and medium-sized companies. On the successful complication of the course, a certificate is issued.
The course was developed by UNDP as part of the “Online Education for Sustainable Development” project, with financial support from the German Government through international development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. Two more online courses were also developed as part of the project – one for civil activists and another for civil servants. All three courses are freely available on national educational platforms. The course for businesspeople can be found via this link.
The partners of the “Act further: Sustainable development for businesses” course are the Lviv Business School of Ukrainian Catholic University and the Non-Governmental Organization “Prometheus.”
Media inquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Communications Officer, yuliia.samus@undp.org, communications.ukraine@undp.org.
Background
On 25 September 2015, a historic UN Summit took place in New York, as a result of which the “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” resolution was adopted by world leaders. The document identified new landmarks for the development of the world that would contribute to economic growth, environmental management and response to various social needs. These benchmarks are reflected in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Ukraine has also joined the global process. In September 2017, the national baseline report “Sustainable Development Goals: Ukraine” was presented. On 30 September 2019, following the issuing of the Decree “On Sustainable Development Goals of Ukraine for the period until 2030” by the President of Ukraine, sustainable development was declared the only possible means of development of the national economy and public institutions that would ensure an increase in the level and quality of life of the population, as well as respect for constitutional and human rights.
