Sustainable Supply Chains & SMEs
The UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Supply Chains and SMEs Programme accelerates sustainability across global supply chains while ensuring that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are equipped to thrive in a rapidly evolving economy.
Sustainable Supply Chains & SMEs Programme
With SMEs representing 90% of businesses globally and accounting for 50% of total employment worldwide, they are critical drivers of job creation, poverty reduction, and sustainable economic growth. At the same time, 51% of UN Global Compact members are SMEs, many of whom face challenges meeting the sustainability criteria required by larger corporations.
Moreover, the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) footprint of companies is largely influenced by their supply chains. Studies indicate that two-thirds of a company's ESG impact is tied to its suppliers, making sustainable supply chain practices essential for achieving global climate and development goals.
About the Programme
The UN Global Compact’s Sustainable Supply Chains and SMEs Programme addresses these realities by providing a holistic, multi-stakeholder approach that combines SME performance improvement, supply chain sustainability transformation, and ESG integration. As production, consumption, and investment practices shift toward more sustainable models, the Programme helps SMEs adapt, innovate, and remain resilient, while buyers and governments build partnerships and accelerate these transitions across global supply chains.
By engaging procurement leaders through a dynamic Coalition, providing tailored support to SMEs via the SPARK initiative, and addressing sector-specific supply chain challenges through targeted projects, the Programme drives meaningful, scalable change. It bridges critical gaps in knowledge, action, and collaboration, empowering businesses to tackle systemic sustainability challenges, strengthen policy dialogue, and contribute to a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive global economy.
Who is this for?
Multinationals aiming to strengthen supply chain sustainability or SMEs seeking practical tools and guidance to embed sustainable practices.
Vision
A world where every supply chain empowers people, nurtures the planet, and strengthens business through responsible practices.
Mission
Driving sustainable and inclusive supply chains that advance the UN Global Compact’s Ten Principles, enabling SMEs to become engines of responsible growth, innovation, and resilience worldwide.
SPARK
Igniting sustainable growth and impact for small & medium-sized enterprises.
SPARK is a global initiative with local roots, delivered through five regional hubs (Africa, Asia & Oceania, Europe & North America, Latin America, and the Middle East) and more than 40 UN Global Compact Country Networks.
Coalition for Sustainable Procurement
Driving collective action to advance sustainable procurement.
The Coalition unites leading procurement and supply chain professionals who recognize the power of procurement as a lever for systemic change.
Sustainable Supplier Innovation Project (SSIP)
Developing action oriented solutions through company-supplier collaboration
The SSIP develops action-oriented solutions by bringing together companies from the same sector or industry - often competitors - along with their suppliers to tackle shared supply chain bottlenecks.
Numbers in Action
90%
SME Global Business Share
50%
SME Employment Impact
40%
SME GDP Contribution
67%
Supply Chain ESG Footprint
Programme Patrons & Sponsors
supplychainsandSMEs@unglobalcompact.org
For more information on the Sustainable Supply Chain & SMEs Program please contact the team