SWITCH-Asia is a regional environment programme which aims to promote the adoption of Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) among Small and Medium sized Enterprises and consumer groups in Asia. Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) is an attempt to reconcile the increased demand for goods and services that respond to basic needs and bring a better quality of life, while minimizing the use of natural resources, toxic materials and emissions of waste and pollutants over the life cycle, in order not to jeopardize the needs of future generations.

The European Union (EU) funded the SWITCH-Asia Programme through its Development Cooperation Instrument. It builds on a progression of former grant funding programmes, which dealt with commerce and sustainability in Asia, including the Asia-ProEco and Asia-Invest programmes. SWITCH-Asia is centrally managed by Development Cooperation Office (DevCo), the Commission’s arm for implementing external assistance. DevCo oversees the launching of Calls for Proposals and the selection of successful applications. Once awarded, the grants are then managed by representative offices, EC Delegations, present in all Asian countries eligible under the programme.

For more information, visit: http://www.switch-asia.eu