NIR Programme

Sustainability Impact Accelerator

The Sustainability Impact Accelerator (SIA) provides targeted capacity development to partners in OECD/DAC countries in support of the implementation of sustainable projects that contribute to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.

The programme is funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and implemented in collaboration with Swedish embassies, the Swedish Export Credit Agency (EKN), Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK), Business Sweden and Swedfund. This collaboration grants SIA with access to a vast network of Swedish expertise.

We accelerate projects in the following sectors:

Clean energy (including biofuels)

Electrification, grid stability and efficiency

Sustainable transport

Water and waste

Forestry

Railway

Approach

By strengthening the capacity of partner institutions in OECD/DAC countries to implement projects in accordance with international sustainability standards, such as the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standards, the programme contributes to the realisation of sustainable projects that can attract funding in the international capital market.

The Sustainability Impact Accelerator offers a wide range of capacity development in areas such as:

⦁ Policy making
⦁ Technical training
⦁ Project management
⦁ Compliance with international sustainability standards
⦁ Sustainability (social, economic and environmental)
⦁ Change management and strategic leadership
⦁ Administration
⦁ Stakeholder dialogue

Supporting the UN Sustainable Development Goals

The programme contributes to local achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda by:

⦁ Providing targeted capacity development to institutions in OECD/DAC countries
⦁ Strengthening capacity to implement sustainable projects
⦁ Accelerating implementation of sustainable and bankable projects in key sectors
⦁ Mobilising capital for investments in sustainable projects
⦁ Increasing the number of sustainable projects implemented
⦁ Engaging and aligning stakeholders
⦁ Promoting best available technology

Would you like to propose a project?

We are always open to receiving proposals. Although we cannot accept all projects, we welcome all project proposals. Accepted projects are enrolled in our programme process, which normally spans over a period of one-year.
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Additional information

You can join our online community on LinkedIn for more information about our projects and upcoming tenders. 

For more information about the Sustainability Impact Accelerator, please contact Annie Ross, Programme Director, telephone number +46 8 783 82 95.

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary presents the findings from the study “Workplace Cooperation: Finding Practical Solutions in the Colombian Context,” conducted by the Fundación Ideas para la Paz (FIP). The study evaluates the added value of the Swedish Workplace Programme (SWP) dialogue and cooperation model within the Colombian labor market.

Throughout 2022, FIP dedicated efforts to thoroughly understand the SWP model, including its concept, foundations, implementation process, and contributions to the labor market. In 2023, FIP documented the experiences of three companies—SKF Latin Trade, Securitas, and Epiroc—that implemented the SWP model in practice. The study also included face-to-face workshops to gather feedback from various stakeholders including civil society, businesses, government, academia, and international cooperation. The findings suggest that the SWP model has the potential to strengthen labor relations, contribute to decent work, and resolve workplace conflicts in Colombia.

The case studies highlight the importance of collaboration between employers and workers to promote decent work and sustainable development in Colombia. They demonstrate that social dialogue facilitates worker participation in labor decision-making, enhances their representativeness, and promotes cooperation between employers and employees, thus improving labor relations and contributing to the well-being of both employees and companies.

The SWP model is particularly noted for improving workplace relationships and commitment to jointly finding solutions to challenges faced by workers and the company. It empowers workers, enhances leadership, and helps integrate business policies into daily practices, reducing the initial disconnect between management objectives and the day-to-day realities of workers. The study also highlights the model’s capacity to manage conflicts constructively, transforming the perception of conflict as an opportunity for improvement. Structured dialogues deepen understanding of the underlying causes of conflicts, fostering empathy and facilitating effective resolution. This promotes a culture of collaboration and a democratic approach to decision-making, building trust.

Additionally, the model is recognized for enabling workers to make decisions, identify challenges, and propose solutions that impact their well-being, and bridging gender gaps in the workplace. Its inclusive approach adapts to the unique needs and characteristics of each company, promoting a stronger and more diverse organizational culture. It also drives good work performance and productivity by involving workers in problem identification and resolution, as well as in implementing improvements and efficiently identifying ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) risks for companies.

The document identifies the SWP model’s added value in empowering direct interaction among labor stakeholders in Colombia, overcoming historical or cultural reservations, and contributing to the development of stronger labor relations and improved workplace environments in the country.

Challenges and opportunities of the model are also discussed. The study points out the importance of addressing value chain risks, particularly in a global context where corporate clients demand decent work processes and due diligence. It emphasizes the need to integrate SMEs into this process and use anchor companies as drivers of social dialogue throughout the value chain. The role of the state in social dialogue and the importance of highlighting the benefits of the model for adoption across various business sectors are discussed.

The opportunities of the model include raising awareness of human rights in the workplace in line with the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGP), to strengthen due diligence, manage risks, promote long-term sustainability, and improve organizational culture. The document also underscores the importance of involving workers in change processes, leveraging their insights for continuous improvement of processes, and fostering innovation opportunities. Lastly, it suggests replicating the model in value chains to address work environment risks and gender biases, involving suppliers and contractors, and integrating the model into corporate policies to strengthen existing programs and transform organizational culture towards resource efficiency and effective participation of employers and workers.