Improving Success Rates for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Through Cleaner Production (MSME Training)

About Cleaner Production (CP).CP is a proven business-oriented problem-solving strategy that focuses primarily on improving the efficiency of production processes. Increased efficiency generally translates into higher profits and better quality. The more efficient use of input materials and energy also equates to reduced waste, resource degradation and pollution, thereby reducing impacts on human health and the environment. CP thus furthers fundamental development goals of BSOs by helping improve business performance and enhancing the long-term sustainability of Income Generation Programs.Course Overview. The course emphasized that many CP improvements require little or no initial investment yet yield significant benefits. Participants were also introduced to techniques to evaluate the profitability of CP projects for which a capital investment is needed, and informed of the practical aspects of financing CP investments. The course illustrated the broad applicability of CP tools and techniques using a variety of relevant case studies and provided participants an opportunity to practice these skills in group work and a case site visit. In addition, participants worked collaboratively to identify existing examples of CP in their own projects, and to identify opportunities to integrate CP into their work.Web Site Contents. This web site contains all presentation and participant sourcebook materials, including group exercises, links to web-based materials, and copies of Adobe’s Acrobat Reader for Windows and Macintosh platforms. The course materials cover not only CP but also information on USAID’s environmental procedures and Namibian environmental and labor regulations. Handouts related to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP), which were topics in a prior course, are included as supplementary material.Web Site Organization. The web site is organized according to the course agenda, with slides and sourcebook materials grouped by which day they were presented. Day 1 covers modules 1-4, Day 2 covers module 5, Day 3 module 6, and Day 4 modules 7-10.