Al-Invest Green Codes: Empowering Costa Rican SMEs for a Sustainable Future

At a time of mounting environmental and economic challenges, Costa Rica’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are grappling with complex regulatory frameworks and increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices. Navigating these challenges can be overwhelming. Our Al-Invest Green Codes (Códigos Verdes) project steps in with hands-on support to empower and enable SMEs in their sustainability journeys.

The project is driving a transformative shift toward sustainability for Costa Rican SMEs by offering a comprehensive methodology to assess and implement sustainable practices and equip them with tools and resources to co-design roadmaps tailored to their needs.

In collaboration with the Costa Rican Chamber of Commerce, the project aims to embed green practices into the entrepreneurial ecosystem while exploring opportunities in the EU market.

This initiative addresses the uncertainty SMEs face when integrating sustainable practices, turning them into enduring elements of business operations. Through customised guidance and support for international certifications, Green Codes offers a flexible and collaborative model that supports businesses at various stages of their sustainability journey.

Key project objectives include:

• Certify 125 SMEs using Voluntary Codes of Conduct (VCCs) to identify and promote sustainable practices tailored to their specific needs.
• Connect 100 businesses to sustainable suppliers, strengthening value chains and fostering environmentally responsible partnerships.
• Foster public-private partnerships to advance sustainability efforts, with public sector representatives signing agreements to reinforce their commitment.

Unlike traditional top-down approaches, the Green Codes project emphasises practicality, flexibility, and self-regulation. Its voluntary and participatory nature ensures that sustainability plans align with each business’s unique challenges and capacities.

By fostering collaboration and empowering SMEs to take greater ownership in designing and implementing sustainability strategies, Al-Invest Green Codes is setting a new benchmark for environmental responsibility. This initiative represents a significant step toward creating a greener, more sustainable business ecosystem in Costa Rica.

For further questions, please contact Adriana Ballón Ossio.