If you are a Food & Drinks Business then this FULLY FUNDED Sustainability Programme is for you!
Introduction
SECAD’s “Sustainability for Food and Drink Businesses” programme aims to provide practical training support to food and drink businesses wishing to pursue more environmentally conscious actions within their business operations. The programme has been designed and developed in collaboration with our expert delivery partners, The Clean Technology Centre (MTU), SustHub and Change by Degrees and will be delivered through a series of live online workshops, one-2-one training opportunities and case study site visits to explore best practice in action. By adopting this holistic approach, participants will be supported to identify practical and achievable solutions which address sustainability challenges such as:
- Sustainable sourcing & supply chain practices,
- Packaging, energy, water & waste,
- Consumer education,
- Carbon emissions, renewable energy and climate change.
The programme targets food and drinks businesses located within South and West Cork. Invaluable support can also be provided to those considering taking the first steps towards achieving accredited sustainability status under programmes such as Bord Bia’s Origin Green Programme and BIM’s Green Seafood Business Programme.
Why Should Your Business Take Part?
In today’s competitive business landscape, sustainability and authentic green credentials are no longer ‘nice to haves’, but ‘must haves’. Business owners are now accountable for their financial, social, and environmental responsibilities and the legacy they wish to leave in our world. The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals reinforce the responsibility of food businesses across the production and supply chain to feed the world sustainably and reduce their environmental footprint. But how can you, as a business, make practical and cost-efficient changes to help achieve this?
Join our expert trainers and immerse your business in the why, the what, the how, the when and the where of sustainability. Gain a clearer understanding of how your business can play a role in addressing issues such as climate change, carbon, stakeholder engagement, resource efficiency, value generation, design thinking and the circular economy. Develop action plans which will drive your sustainability performance while also identifying greener and potentially more cost-effective methods of production and distribution. Learn practical, affordable tips, tools and skills and avail of tailored business supports to apply immediately in your business.
Training is fully funded under the LEADER Food Initiative, part of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, so there is no cost to participating businesses.
Eligibility Criteria
This programme is designed to support artisan, micro, small and medium-sized food and drink and businesses wishing to improve or implement sustainable practices.
To qualify, participants should be:
- Based within South or West Cork (with priority given to those located in SECAD’s South and West Cork LEADER areas)
- An established food/drink business already trading or in the process of registration
- Committed to attending the online workshops in order to avail of the one-to-one training supports.
Further details on the programme can be found in the programme handbook or by contacting info@secad.ie / 021 461 3432.
View our information brochure:
To apply for this programme, please complete this Application Form.
Programme Overview
Running from September 2021 – February 2022, this training programme will include the following :
- 10 x 2-hour, live and interactive, online workshops which will give participants a more in-depth understanding of sustainability issues relevant to the food sector and provide practical tools for developing and implementing sustainability action plans.
- The opportunity to avail of tailored ‘one-2-one’ on-site/virtual training with our expert trainers who will provide support unique to your own business needs.
- Case study site visits to experience best-practice sustainability/resource efficiency in action (Covid restrictions permitting)
- Networking and collaboration opportunities
Live, online workshops will run fortnightly from 10 am-12 pm on designated days. Modules covered in the training programme will include:
- Sustainability – The What and The How (to include green finance and green procurement)
- Resource Efficiency (managing energy, water and waste)
- Our Food and Our Environment
- Climate Change – Measure your Carbon Footprint
- Communication – Engaging the Marketplace – Understanding Consumer Behaviour and Sustainable Consumption
- Managing Food Waste
- Packaging, Storage, Transport & Distribution: Sustainable Supply Chain Design
- Building a Sustainability Culture – Engaging Employees & Suppliers
- Circular Economy Proposition Design
- Design Thinking, Innovation & Sustainability
One-to-One Training and Support
In addition to the online workshops, the programme offers tailored one-2-one support (either on-site at your business or virtually) which will focus on the specific needs of your business and reviewing your sustainability goals. Our delivery partners have significant expertise in working directly with client companies across multiple sectors. They will work closely with business owners/key staff to assess existing practices and identify solutions that will enable them to achieve their sustainability goals and improve resource efficiency. A key outcome of the one-2-one training will be to develop an action plan for the business where the business will agree on a number of “key projects” that could be further analysed and costed.
Programme Facilitators
SUSTHUB; A clear stream solutions business
SUSTHub is Ireland premier provider of sustainability, carbon footprinting, ESG reporting and circular economy learning programmes. Formed in 2020 sustHub identified the gap in leader’s awareness of sustainability and associated areas. SUSTHub enables executive leadership teams, board members, and senior leadership team, to accelerate their organizations’ sustainability performance.
Brian O’Kennedy
Dr. Declan Brogan
Clean Technology Centre (CTC)
The Clean Technology Centre at Cork Institute of Technology provides consultancy to organisations in all key areas of sustainability. CTC scientists and engineers provide expertise in the identification and implementation of resource-efficient and sustainable options in a wide range of manufacturing and service sectors. CTC has been providing innovative and effective resource efficiency solutions since being established in 1992. We have a proven track record in sustainability, environmental protection, and resource efficiency. CTC has delivered high-quality research outputs, original training programmes, as well as proven project management solutions for over 25 years to many different clients.
James Hogan
Keelin Tobin
Change by Degrees
Change by Degrees is a sustainability consultancy with over 20 years of international experience in climate and environment strategy, communications and employee and customer engagement. Our consultancy services enable businesses to grow better, by responding effectively to the increasing demand for sustainable business practice, through workshops, SDG mapping, strategy development and best practice policy guidance. We bring environmental sustainability and climate change know-how to your business to help you assess climate risk, build resilience, secure supply chains, attract and retain staff, respond to changing regulations and communicate your impact with legitimacy. Our tailored advice and communications planning will increase employee loyalty and productivity and ultimately reduce business costs. Change by Degrees has delivered training and workshops to businesses in Ireland on all aspects of sustainability policy and strategy, employee education and engagement and reporting and communications. We tailor our training services to each clients’ needs and industry.
