Overview
Ignite your sustainability journey
Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) are critical drivers of job creation, poverty reduction and sustainable economic growth. Making up 90% of businesses, accounting for 50% of total employment worldwide, and generating nearly 40% of GDP in emerging economies, SMEs are key drivers of global sustainability progress and inclusive growth.
But we also know that SMEs sometimes face unique challenges on their sustainability journey, such as access to financing, vulnerabilities to inflation, or problems navigating complex regulatory environments.
That’s why we created the SPARK Community.
What is SPARK?
SPARK is a new global community from the United Nations Global Compact designed for SME leaders that want curated and practical guidance on achieving their sustainability goals.
Watch this short video from Assistant- Secretary General Sanda Ojiambo to learn more about why we created SPARK and how you can make the most out of your free membership.
What You Can Expect
Recognizing that SMEs often face competing priorities with limited resources, SPARK allows flexibility for members to complete live workshops and on-demand courses – at a pace that fits your schedule.
Through a mix of on-demand learning, live sessions, impactful networking and tailored regional experiences, you’ll gain ready-to-use knowledge and make lasting connections that can supercharge your sustainability journey.
Explore this page to learn more about what SPARK has to offer, or get started now by joining SPARK today.
Join the global SPARK community today
By joining SPARK, members gain access to practical live sessions, case studies and curated tools gaining actionable insights from industry leaders and UN Global Compact experts.
Why join SPARK?
- Learn to tackle complex sustainability challenges, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions or new reporting requirements, at your own pace.
- Exchange ideas and best practices with like-minded peers in your region.
- Exclusive access to live sessions, workshops and self-paced courses packed with the latest how-tos and actionable strategies to help you achieve your sustainability goals
- Gain a competitive advantage and enhance your brand value by positioning your business as a preferred supplier for sustainable companies
- Gain a certificate of completion from the UN Global Compact Academy for each Content Pillar you complete
Who can join?
- Open to all employees at Participating Companies of the UN Global Compact with less than 250 employees (SMEs)
- Also open for SME suppliers of UNGC participating companies*.
Membership is free and open year-round.
*Are you a UNGC large company committed to helping your SME suppliers on their sustainability journey?
You have the power to make SPARK available to your SME suppliers, enabling them to thrive sustainably!
By partnering with us, you can equip your suppliers with the tools, resources, and expert guidance they need to meet sustainability goals, align with global standards, and reduce supply chain sustainability risks. Interested? Contact us at spark@unglobalcompact.org to explore this exciting opportunity – subject to internal validation and selection criteria.
What You'll Learn: The Four SPARK Content Pillars
Over the course of the programme, you'll explore four key sustainability themes through a blend of self-paced and interactive content:
Understand the basics of the UN Global Compact, the Ten Principles, and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This content pillar helps you identify where your business stands and how to get started on a sustainability path.
After completing this Pillar, you'll receive reminders, updates, and invitations to join relevant live sessions. Complete this deep dive to earn a Certificate of Completion from the UN Global Compact Academy.
- Short Video: Introduction to the SDGs
- Short video: Sustainability and Business
- On-demand course: Future-proofing your SME
- On-demand course: How being more sustainable makes you more resilient
- Regional live session: "Building the business case for sustainability"
Translate sustainability into actionable steps for your business. Learn how to set priorities, define goals, and align your sustainability strategy with your core operations.
Follow the recommended timeline to make the most of your SPARK experience. After completion, you'll receive a Certificate of Completion showcasing your commitment to responsible business.
- On-demand course: The what and how of Sustainable Design for SMEs
- On-demand course: How to Finance Your Sustainability Strategy
- Regional live session: "From Vision to Action: Tools to Build Your Sustainability Strategy"
Learn how to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices. This year, we’re focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and embedding human rights into core business operations.
After this content pillar, you'll receive updates and invitations to relevant live sessions. Complete all deep dives to get the full value of SPARK and earn your certificates.
- On-demand course: Taking Action on GHG Emissions: Scope 1, 2 and 3
- On-demand course: Business and Human Rights: How companies can operationalize the UN Guiding Principles
- Short video: Governance and Anti-Corruption
- Regional live session: "Reducing your GHG emission"
Learn how to track progress, measure impact, and communicate your sustainability achievements to stakeholders. This content pillar will help you expand your sustainability initiatives for long-term success.
After this Pillar, you'll receive updates and invitations to relevant live sessions. Complete all Content Pillars to get the full value of SPARK and earn your certificates.
- Content TBD
- Regional live session: "From Measurement to Growth: Expanding Your Sustainability Impact"