What is I-GO?
The I-GO initiative helps small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) access tailored resource efficiency knowledge and support services most relevant to their activity, location and business needs. I-GO’s ultimate purpose is to transform resource efficiency knowledge and support services into concrete business improvement actions in a range of areas, such as energy and waste management, for increased resilience, productivity and competitiveness.
Who has developed I-GO?
The I-GO initiative has been developed by the Green Industry Platform of the Green Growth Knowledge Partnership (GGKP), in collaboration with the Partnership for Action on Green Economy. The GGKP was founded in 2012 and is led by a steering committee of senior representatives from the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and World Bank. The GGKP has a global partnership of over 80 international organizations, research institutes and think tanks dedicated to transitioning to a green economy.
What are the different tools comprising I-GO?
I-GO offers an integrated resource efficiency support structure for SMES. It provides a complete toolkit that includes the SME Support Centre (1), the I-GO Assistant (2), the Implementation Manager tool (3) and promotional activities and networking opportunities.
What specific guidance and support services does the SME Support Centre offer?
The SME Support Centre is an online database hosted on the Green Industry Platform offers quick and easy access to the latest national, regional and global level knowledge products and support services. These include case studies, technical guides online tools, training solutions, technical assistance and financial incentives.
To facilitate access to relevant guidance and support services, the SME Support Centre is structured around developing a resource efficiency strategy with five operational areas: energy management, water savings, materials efficiency, waste management and sustainable chemicals. Additional filters allow SMEs to select for specific sub-topics, geographic location and business sectors.
How does I-GO Assistant work?
I-GO Assistant is an online resource self-assessment and navigation tool that rapidly determines an SME’s current resource efficiency status based on their actions to date, taking into account their location, business sector and size. After answering a few simple questions regarding any relevant measures being implemented, the tool provides the SME with a set of customized recommendations on how best to effectively improve their resource efficiency along with a tailored list of knowledge and support services most relevant to their specific needs from the SME Support Centre. No detailed data is needed given this is not a diagnostic review.
What exchange and network opportunities does I-GO offer?
Collaboration is essential for the effective implementation and continuous improvement of the I-GO initiative. The I-GO Network is a global network of SME stakeholders (e.g. business associations, government agencies, NGOs, development organisations, etc.) dedicated to supporting SMEs become more resource efficient. It aims to empower its members to best support SMEs in their countries and regions to improve their resource efficiency through the backing of a coordinated global community.
I-GO provides SMEs and SME supporting organizations with the opportunity to share their experiences and connect with other businesses and gain expert advice through a dedicated space on the Green Forum – a leading green growth community space. The Green Forum provide users with ease of communication with peers worldwide to build expertise and make new connections to share the latest knowledge. It also provides a space to ask questions and get answers and advice from experts or peers with similar challenges or relevant experiences.
What are the next features I-GO will develop?
To ensure long-term and sustainable impact, I-GO aims to develop and establish the Implementation Manager tool to help SMEs develop and manage their specific resource efficiency project from identification of opportunities, understanding their application, accessing relevant support services, to tracking performance.
For more information, visit the Green Industry Platform, or contact us.