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 tools and robust networking opportunities, 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 related course you complete
Who can join?
- SPARK is open to all employees at Participating Companies of the UN Global Compact with less than than 250 employees. Membership is free and open year-round. Join today »
- Not sure if your company is a UN Global Compact participant? Search our participant database to find out if your company is eligible.
Regional Live Sessions
Interactive, impactful and insight-driven sessions with practical networking, tailored by region. Our Global Compact Regional Hubs lead the development of each regional session, ensuring the content is relevant for your region’s context.
Accessing capital can be a major roadblock for companies with limited resources and/or expertise. Get equipped to navigate the sustainable finance landscape in your region and prepare your business to meet the necessary requirements to pursue funding. Plus, connect directly with regional experts that can offer actionable insights and guidance on how to pursue investment in your sustainability initiatives.
Registration is now live in the SPARK Community! Join for free to gain full access »
Unpack the business case for sustainability. Relive an exciting panel featuring innovative and influential SMEs, industry leaders like Nestlé and Mahindra Group, and esteemed partners International Finance Corporation (IFC) and International Trade Centre (ITC). Featuring a business resilience workshop led by professors from Boston University Questrom School of Business and Reykjavik University to help you kickstart your business resilience strategy.