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AL-INVEST Verde, through its “MSME Linkages for Decarbonization” project, funded by the European Union, held a successful business meeting as part of Sustainability Week 2025. This event, now in its 13th year, was the most important sustainability business meeting in El Salvador, organized by the Fundación Empresarial para la Acción Social (FUNDEMAS),and took place from october 21 to 23 at the Sheraton Presidente Hotel.
The “MSME Linkages for Decarbonization” project is being implemented in El Salvador by the Cámara Alemana Salvadoreña de Comercio e Industria (AHK) y FUNDEMAS. Its objective is to promote low-carbon economies through the efficient use of resources in the recycling value chain, with a focus on MSMEs. Furthermore, it seeks to expand market access for the recycling value chain and MSMEs in the tourism sector, and to promote increased sales and the creation of green jobs in these sectors.
During its two years of implementation in El Salvador, the program has impacted MSMEs by strengthening their capacities and providing technical assistance in legal, administrative, and marketing matters, as well as streamlining procedures and accessing financing options, among other things.
Over the past two years, the impact on MSMEs has been as follows:
| Project indicator | Achievements to date |
| 130 MSMEs reached: 100 tourism-related (bars, restaurants, hotels, hostels, crafts, etc.), 30 from the Recycling Value Chain. 60 MSMEs (30 tourism-related, 30 from the Recycling Value Chain) have developed eco-efficiency and waste management plans and manuals. 50 marketing and business administration plans implemented, 70 new and improved green jobs, 1 web platform for managing recycling indicators,10 partnerships to promote recycling in tourism-sector MSMEs. 200 MSMEs have information on access to financing 300 people participating in B2B networking. | 156 MSMEs sensitized to eco-efficiency, recycling, biodiversity, waste management, and risk management. 84 tourism and recycling value chain MSMEs have developed eco-efficiency and waste management plans and manuals. 30 out of 50 marketing plans developed and beginning implementation; 20 in development. 55 out of 70 green jobs. 1 web platform for measuring indicators (natural resource savings and sales) for MSMEs. 6 out of 10 alliances created to promote recycling in tourism sector MSMEs. 86 out of 200 MSME people have information on access to financing for MSMEs. 81 out of 300 people participating in networking and more than 150 B2B meetings. |
Being able to include small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in this event is highly relevant to the project, as it allows them to gain a broader perspective on CSR and Sustainability by attending successful international conferences. This will allow them to further integrate into their sustainability vision those initiatives promoted by the AL INVEST VERDE project, which focuses on low-carbon practices, explained Maythé Cornejo, Environmental manager at FUNDEMAS and leader of the project.
FUNDEMAS’ Sustainability and CSR Week brings together more than 1,500 participants each year, including business leaders, representatives from SMEs and large companies, non-governmental organizations, international cooperation agencies, universities, and civil society.
The beneficiaries of the AL INVEST VERDE project who were invited to this event had the opportunity to exchange experiences and connect with other companies to further enhance their businesses by accessing information, forming alliances, and developing collaborative projects within their respective value chains.
Thematic Aaeas of the 2025 edition
This year’s agenda will revolve around four major thematic days addressing the most pressing challenges for the business sector:
• Tuesday, october 21 (morning session): “Transformative Trends: Sustainability in an Accelerated World”
• Tuesday, october 21 (afternoon session): “Work for All: Linking Generations and Skills”
• Wednesday, october 22 (morning session): “Transforming with Finance: Banking, Inclusion, and Sustainability”
• Wednesday, october 22 (afternoon session): “Investing for Sustainability: SynergyLab”
• Thursday, october 23 (morning session): “Innovation and Climate: A Business Challenge in the 21st Century”
The event on october 23rd was specifically designed to allow companies benefiting from the Al Invest Verde project, partner institutions, and companies with their value chains to attend conferences by international speakers working in the tourism sector, developing competitiveness strategies, and sharing best and successful practices in managing drivers for decarbonization: water, energy, waste, and fuels. Participants also had the opportunity to learn about best practices from MSMEs benefiting from the project and to engage in business exchanges within a networking environment that will help boost marketing, financing, and sales growth in the recycling and tourism value chain.
The development of the MSME Champions panel provided valuable experience through the Panel of Experiences for Decarbonization and Sustainability – Al Invest Verde, within the framework of the 13th edition of Sustainability and CSR Week 2025. The interventions and responses strengthened the understanding of sustainability in practice among many salvadoran MSMEs that we invited to the event, contributing to its success. The event brought together more than 1,500 attendees from the business, trade association, academic, governmental, and civil society sectors. On this day alone, we had an attendance of over 350 people.
Additional information: Al Invest Verde, within the framework of Sustainability and CSR Week 2025, was a key partner in generating value for MSMEs. It provided access to conferences with high-level national and international speakers and panelists, as well as the support of strategic partners from the business sector, international cooperation agencies, trade associations, and others.
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