The Switchers
Ecosystems
Supporting BSOs across
Mediterranean Countries
Mediterranean Countries
About The Switchers
Ecosystems Initiative
The Switchers Ecosystems enhances Business Support Organizations (BSOs) and experts across Mediterranean countries in advancing sustainable and circular business development.
The Switchers Ecosystems's main objectives are:
- To support entrepreneurs and SMEs to adopt sustainable practices and circular business models.
- To collaborate and share experiences, know-how and tools related to sustainable and circular business development support.
- To increase capacities of BSOs to promote sustainable and circular business development.
- To advocate for public policies in support of sustainable and circular business development.
- To assess and report the triple bottom impact of sustainable businesses.
- To increase awareness among consumers about the importance of sustainable products and services.
- To develop joint fund-raising strategies to support the development of sustainable businesses.
The initiative is developed in the framework of The Switchers Support Programme implemented by MedWaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production.
The Switchers Ecosystems builds upon the National Partnerships of BSOs for sustainable business development supported in 8 Southern Mediterranean countries in the framework of the SwitchMed initiative (2019–2024).
Among the activities promoted so far, several thematic webinars have been organized and in-person meetings were held in Tunisia in October 2023 and December 2025.
Endorse the Manifesto
The Mediterranean Manifesto
for Sustainable and Circular
Business Development
The urgency
Time is running out to prevent irreversible damage from the triple planetary crisis: climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss. Social inequalities are widening, and we are far from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. The well-being of current and future generations and nature's biodiversity are at stake. We urgently need a radical transformation of our economic systems and consumption and production patterns towards sustainable, circular, inclusive, and participatory socio-economic models.
The reality
Despite these dramatic challenges, no encouraging transformation is happening at the macro level: countries are failing to make adequate progress towards environmentally and socially sustainable economic systems. Yet at meso and micro levels, we can drive the transition towards sustainable and equitable business models. These are companies that understand that no enterprise exists in isolation — every economic activity forms part of a broader social reality, and both are embedded within the natural ecosystems that sustain us all. Such emerging businesses acknowledge their interdependence and embed environmental and social objectives into their business strategies.
Our commitment
As organisations supporting business creation and development, we are committed to promoting the transition towards justice-oriented circular economy models: businesses which create ecological value and safeguard the environment by addressing environmental challenges and reducing environmental impacts, while also being equitable and socially empowering. No company should be allowed to externalise its environmental and social costs. The transition from linear to circular economy is not optional — sustainable businesses must become the new normal. Business Support Organisations (BSOs) should also enhance their collaboration and networking to increase the coherence, effectiveness, and efficiency of service provision for sustainable entrepreneurs and companies.
OUR CALL TO ACTION
With this vision, we, Mediterranean BSOs, call on all Public, Private, and Non-Profit BSOs to work towards embracing the following decalogue of principles and actions:
01
Apply innovative approaches, methodologies, and tools to foster environmental and social value creation while minimising negative impacts of business models. This includes, among others, applying circular economy strategies, eco-innovation, eco-design, and promoting fair labour relations, participative governance, gender equity, and global environmental justice.
02
Advocate collaboratively for supportive policies and regulatory frameworks that enable sustainable business development and create a level playing field where sustainable businesses can thrive and unsustainable practices face appropriate consequences.
03
Ensure that the transition to sustainable business models is inclusive and equitable, providing targeted support to underrepresented entrepreneurs, including women, youth, and marginalised communities, so that no one is left behind in the circular economy transition.
04
Regularly measure and transparently report on the environmental and social impacts of business support initiatives through robust MEAL (monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning) systems.
05
Share and exchange knowledge, resources, and experiences on sustainable business development with like-minded organisations and make learning publicly accessible to accelerate collective progress.
06
Coordinate activities, launch joint initiatives, and promote networks at national and regional level with organisations that share these values to amplify our collective impact.
07
Collaboratively boost access to market and increase demand for sustainable products and services while challenging unsustainable consumption practices.
08
Engage financial actors and channel financial resources (grants, loans, equity) towards sustainable and circular businesses.
09
Raise awareness and knowledge widely concerning sustainable and circular business models.
10
Continuously build internal capacities and expertise to support sustainable and circular business development.
Organizations supporting the manifesto
Main activities
