Client: Mercy Corps
Project: Mapping MSME Green Business Practices in Timor-Leste
Date: 2024
Members of Ripple Research partnered with Mercy Corps in Timor-Leste to map green business practices among MSMEs, identifying barriers and providing strategies to enhance sustainability in this climate-vulnerable region.
Members of Ripple Research collaborated with Mercy Corps on a project focused on mapping green business practices among Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Timor-Leste. Given the country's climate vulnerabilities and the significant role MSMEs play in its economy, this project aimed to identify and understand existing sustainable practices within key sectors, including farming, agro-processing, cafes and restaurants, waste management, eco-tourism, and handicrafts.
Our Role:
Green Business Maturity Framework: We developed a four-stage maturity framework to classify the sustainability practices of MSMEs, ranging from basic awareness to advanced, integrated green practices.
Field Research: We conducted extensive surveys and interviews with 25 MSMEs, with a particular focus on women-led and youth-led enterprises, to assess their adoption of green practices and identify sector-specific trends.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance: We provided recommendations for capacity-building programs and technical assistance to help MSMEs overcome barriers such as limited awareness, expertise, and financial constraints in adopting green practices.
Policy and Strategy Recommendations: We offered strategic insights for government agencies and NGOs to develop policies that support the scaling of green business practices among MSMEs, with an emphasis on creating a supportive ecosystem and encouraging collaboration between businesses.
The findings from this project highlight that while MSMEs in Timor-Leste are beginning to adopt green practices, there is a pressing need for continued efforts to address the significant gaps in awareness, resources, and collaboration. Without targeted support and increased investment in these areas, the potential of these businesses to drive sustainable change will remain underutilised. This work sets the stage for further initiatives that are essential to building a resilient and environmentally conscious economy in Timor-Leste.