Learning Network Sustainable Development for Sector Federations & Business Networks
Brussels
CONCEPT
The Learning Network for Sector Federations & Business Networks, supported by the Government of Flanders, aims to provide sector federations with the tools and knowledge to drive sustainable development. Recognising their vital role, the Network focuses on sector federations as they help smaller organisations overcome substantive and financial barriers to sustainability, guiding their members through the complexities of sustainability efforts.
The Network focuses on facilitating knowledge exchange on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) frameworks, addressing sustainability at four levels: internal operations, member support, societal impact, and local/international action.
INaUgural Session
Welcome
Participants were welcomed by Peter Wollaert, Managing Director of CIFAL Flanders, who introduced the organisationβs work on the Sustainable Development Goals and how this can support sector federations in advancing their sustainability goals.
This session focused on defining the content for upcoming meetings and sharing best practices.
Presentations
Sector federation representatives shared insights into their sustainability initiatives and strategies, highlighting best practices and challenges within their industries. The presentations included:
Karla Basselier from Fedustria, spoke on sustainable practices in the textile, wood, and furniture sectors, including sustainable wood certification and environmental responsibility.
Eva Verraes,Director of Herw!n, focused on social circular enterprises, especially in integrating long-term unemployed individuals into the workforce.
Nathalie de Greve, the Director Sustainability from Comeos, highlighted sustainability goals across retail and services, addressing both physical and online shops.
Caroline Godts from Sociale InnovatieFabriek, presented on supporting social enterprises with tools for sustainable business models.
Joost Venken, Programme Director Sustainability from Verso, covered collaborative sustainability strategies, particularly in social enterprises.
Networking Lunch
Participants connected over a networking lunch, setting the stage for open discussions and collaborations throughout the session.
Panel
A panel of sector leaders discussed the core tasks of sector federations and business networks in strengthening sustainability. The panel included:
- Nathalie de Greve (Comeos) discussed Comeos’ CSR Roadmap, detailing sustainability initiatives within retail and services.
- Caroline Godts (Sociale InnovatieFabriek) highlighted resources available to sector federations for supporting social enterprises in sustainability transitions.
- Eva Verraes (Herw!n) shared Herw!nβs ambitions for a social circular economy, focusing on transitioning from linear to circular models and integrating long-term unemployed individuals into the workforce.
- Nadia Lapage ( Fevia Vlaanderen) introduced Feviaβs sustainability reporting roadmap, which includes monitoring progress and engaging with member companies on environmental impact.
Inspiring Cases
Jens De Vos from Voka presented trends in sustainable entrepreneurship, focusing on corporate sustainability practices within businesses.
Boris Van Westering presented a sustainability benchmark project, supported by Partos and the Global Sustainable Enterprise System (GSES), which provides insights into sector sustainability maturity across six pillars.
Session 1: Strategies for Sustainability Communication
Presentations Session 1
Guest speaker Helen Jacobs from Voka delivered an insightful presentation on the Role of Communication in Sustainability Initiatives, sharing practical tips and insights from VCDO participants.
Panel Key Takeaways
The session continued with a dynamic panel featuring Wim Hubrechts from BelOrta, Yves Peiffer from ELEP, and Hugo Pietermans from ZAS. They explored best practices and how sector federations can support their members in strengthening sustainability communication and addressing key topics like ππ¦π₯π and π©π¦π π.
- Developing joint communication strategies and sharing best practices within sectors enhances support for sustainable development.
- Coaching at individual, sectoral, and intersectoral levels is in high demand and can be facilitated through CIFAL Flanders, The Shift, and PCA2030 partners like Voka, AKT – CCI Brabant Wallon, GoodPlanet Belgium, and IDEA Consult.
- Sector federations play a critical role in providing tools to tackle shared challenges, such as securing financial resources, recruiting and retaining talent, and managing data effectively.
Final Exchange Session 1
The session concluded with Jonas Kiesekoms from Pantarein, presenting ππ§π€π’ πΎπππΏ π©π€ πππ₯π€π§π©ππ£π, providing practical tips for organisations, including engaging members, creating sectoral reports, and conducting IRO exercises at the sector level.
Session 2: Promoting ethical finance: SDG 16 & 17 in practice, from True Pricing to impact investing
Presentations Session 2
Guest speaker Piet Colruyt from Impact Finance Belgium shared insights into the “Ecosystem of an Impact Investor” and strategies for maximising impact, introducing the 5Is framework: Inspiring Integral Innovations in Impact Investing.
The session featured presentations from experts on sustainabilityβs growing impact:
- Anse Smeets from VITO, who explored the fashion industry’s environmental and social effects, encouraged using the True Cost Calculator for better decision-making.
- Philippe Weiler from Fairtrade Belgium, emphasised Fairtradeβs transition from a niche to a mainstream model with vast growth potential, urging immediate action for change to ensure a sustainable future.
- Koen De Vidts from NewB & Zinnings, discussed the increasing pressure on banks due to trends in chain responsibility and scenario planning, noting that these stricter requirements will soon be passed onto their customers.
What’s Next?
Upcoming Sessions
The next session will be held in Brussels on 26 February, focusing on International Societal Responsibility.
- If your federation is interested in participating and has not yet registered, now is the perfect time to join us! Feel free to email us at info@cifalflanders.org for more details.
We invite all participants to continue this journey with us toward a more sustainable future for every sector!
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