Training workshops to improve the competencies of enterprises were held at the FEZ “Brest”

On September 16, 2026, training workshops were held at the Free Economic Zone “Brest” to improve the competencies of FEZ “Brest” residents in the areas of resource efficiency, circular economy, and the implementation of green quality standards. The training workshops were organized by the administration of the FEZ “Brest” with the support of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Republic of Belarus as part of the international technical assistance project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.

Experts in the field of environmental management and sustainable development took part in the workshops.

The workshops presented modern approaches to resource conservation and enhancing the competitiveness of enterprises through the implementation of circular economy principles. The participants examined global trends in the transition from a linear to a circular model, the relationship between resource efficiency and financial indicators, as well as the key provisions of the Ten‑Year Framework of Programmes for Sustainable Consumption and Production (10YFP). Special attention was paid to practical tools: Lean Production methods, waste management hierarchy, the implementation of ISO 14001 environmental management systems, and ESG reporting.

Furthermore, environmental standards were also discussed during the seminars. Experts presented the “Quality 2.0” concept, which includes durability, maintainability, safety, and resource efficiency of products. Participants familiarized themselves with international and national environmental labeling systems, requirements for materials, packaging, energy consumption, and waste management, and received a comparative analysis of the differences between eco‑friendly and traditional products. A separate section was devoted to the issue of greenwashing and the role of independent certification in building consumer trust.

The participants noted the high practical significance of the presented materials. The knowledge obtained will improve enterprises to implement environmentally oriented approaches, improve resource efficiency, reduce their environmental impact, and strengthen consumers’ trust in products that meet “green” standards, which will contribute to the achievement by the Republic of Belarus of the Sustainable Development Goals 9, 12, 13 and other SDGs.

The Center for Responsible Consumption and Production on the basis of the FEZ “Brest” (Centre) is being established by the FEZ “Brest” administration with the support of the UNDP in the Republic of Belarus as part of the international technical assistance project “Support to the Efforts of the Republic of Belarus in Nationalization and Localization of SDGs”, funded by the Russian Federation.

As part of the work to establish the Center, a number of activities are planned for the period from August to December 2026: preparing the technical, economic, and organizational foundations for the future Center, conducting training events, and carrying out a pilot assessment of material flows. This will enable enterprises in the Brest region to improve resource efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the alignment of their activities with national priorities and the Sustainable Development Goals.

More information about the establishment of the Center for Responsible Consumption and Production on the basis of the FEZ “Brest” can be found at the booklet.