The SMEP Programme aims to drive solutions for cleaner production and resource-efficient manufacturing and circular economy processes in target countries.  In so doing the programme aims to deliver an impact, specifically aimed at improving the quality of the environment (land, water, soil and air) that in turn can have beneficial effects on human health, especially that of vulnerable people.   

SMEP funds research activities and project pilots, which will deliver results (referred to as “outcomes” in the SMEP Theory of Change parlance) in the following areas: 

1. Partner governments have the necessary tools, technical advice and knowledge to address the problems identified.
2. Increased production efficiency and environmental sustainability of selected manufacturing processes create the business case for the adoption and replication of technological solutions and improved manufacturing processes.
3. Businesses are motivated and enabled to improve manufacturing processes through a mix of incentives, enabling solutions, policies and business models.

Contracted research and grants are designed to demonstrate scalable technologies, business models, and policy rationale to address plastic and manufacturing pollution.  However additional co-benefits, such as creating opportunities to encourage Gender equity and Social Inclusion in these sectors for women and marginalised groups are supported and encouraged.  In addition, projects with Greenhouse Gas mitigation potential are also supported to formally monitor, measure and report on climate mitigation benefits as a result of SMEP funding.

Currently, the SMEP-funded projects contribute to the overall SMEP impact in various ways. For a visual representation of this, please refer to this infographic. 

Unlike the mathematical equation, delivering the SMEP programme in a complex real-world context, is sure to result in it being bigger than the sum of its individual parts. As the programme matures, the overall collective impact becomes more apparent and we foresee reporting on this collective SMEP impact across the following areas: