OUR MISSION

Support the transition of Asia, the Middle-East and the Pacific to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy while promoting sustainable production and consumption patterns, and greener supply chains between these regions and Europe.

SWITCH-Asia is a programme funded by the European Union (EU). Active since 2007, it seeks to promote Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) in the region. Through its 2019 EU Green Deal and Global Gateway, the EU has further committed to supporting the transition of countries to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy. This has also strengthened the knowledge basis and momentum of the programme in supporting Asian countries’ SCP commitments as part of SDG 12 and the Paris Agreement.

The Policy Support Component (PSC)

The PSC provides direct support to regional organisations, national governments and related implementing agencies in charge of policies and regulatory frameworks relevant to SCP. This is done in the form of on-demand advisory on scaling up SCP policy and implementation as well as through creating a platform for knowledge exchange, and building capacities of regional institutions. All activities rely on the strong engagement of partner countries and organisations in co-creating the requested policies, processes and other deliverables. Projects by the SWITCH-Asia PSC benefit several governments at once through a multi-country or regional approach. Managed by the EU Directorate General International Partnerships (DG INTPA), the PSC’s activities are implemented by GOPA and NIRAS.

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The Grants Scheme

Through its grants scheme, the programme funds pilot projects supporting companies to adopt cleaner technologies and more sustainable industrial practices. It also seeks to integrate sustainability considerations into consumers’ decision-making. The goal of this component is to facilitate the replication of SCP practices in MSMEs in the region.

Since its launch, 143 projects have been funded with an average grant size of EUR 1.7 million across a wide range of sectors including energy efficiency in industrial plants and houses, agri-food and fishing sectors, textiles and leather, tourism, logistics and freight. These have been implemented by over 500 Asian and European partners and more than 100 private sector associates, which indirectly benefitted up to 80,000 MSMEs.

Managed by

143
Grant Projects

Implemented since 2007

€1.7 M
Average Grant Size

Invested across a wide range of sectors including energy efficiency in industrial plants and houses, agri-food and fishing sectors, textiles and leather, tourism, logistics and freight.

80,000
MSMEs

Implemented by over 500 Asian and European partners and some 100 private sector associates, grant projects indirectly benefitted up to 80,000 MSMEs.

From Grants to Policy Dialogue

The evidence provided by SWITCH-Asia grant projects points to challenges and how to effectively support green business cases. This feeds into the policy dialogues held by the PSC with national governments and regional organisations.

Advisory by the PSC aims to co-create policy frameworks that enable a green transition of the private sector and responsible consumption behaviour. In close cooperation with its partner countries, the SWITCH-Asia programme thereby contributes to the region’s transition to low-carbon, resource-efficient and more circular economic models.

Coordination between the SWITCH-Asia programme and regional and international organisations ensures complementarities in the support provided to national governments. SWITCH-Asia also builds collaboration with financial institutions, essential for promoting (new) green financing for MSMEs and for the wider replication of SCP practices tested through the SWITCH-Asia grants.