As part of the Green Launchpad track under the Green Forward Programme, Flow Accelerator delivered, in collabroation with Envision Environmental Solutions, a focused Mini Masterclass on Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Integration, aimed at strengthening the institutional capacity of Business Support Organizations (BSOs) to embed ESG principles into their operations and MSME support services within the Palestinian context.
The virtual masterclass brought together BSOs participating in the Green Forward programme, creating a dedicated learning space for practitioners working at the intersection of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and enterprise support. The session was designed to move beyond theory, equipping participants with practical tools and applied methodologies to translate ESG concepts into actionable institutional and programmatic practices.
The masterclass was led by Shadha Musallam, Environmental Scientist and Gender Expert and CEO of Agritopia for Agricultural Technology, alongside Faisal Kilani, Environmental and Social Management Specialist and Founder of Envision Environmental Solutions. Drawing on their combined experience in environmental governance, gender integration, and ESG compliance, the facilitators guided participants through a structured exploration of ESG fundamentals and their relevance to Palestinian MSMEs.
The session unfolded across several integrated learning phases. It began with a practical overview of ESG concepts, terminology, and global frameworks, including an introduction to the principle of double materiality and its implications for enterprise decision-making. Participants examined how environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities manifest within local MSMEs, and how BSOs can play a critical role in identifying and addressing them.
Building on this foundation, participants engaged in hands-on exercises focused on ESG policy development, tailoring draft policies to their organizational and programmatic contexts. This was followed by a practical application session using tools from the Green Business Toolkit, where participants applied ESG screening and assessment approaches to MSME case studies, enabling them to translate assessment findings into concrete integration pathways.
By the end of the mini masterclass, participants had access to all the materials needed to develop draft outputs, including ESG audit checklists, MSME screening tools, and one-page ESG integration plans, which can be further refined and embedded within their support services.
This session reinforced the role of the Green Launchpad track in supporting BSOs based on their mutual needs, not only as service providers, but as institutional anchors capable of driving sustainable and inclusive entrepreneurship. By grounding ESG integration in practical tools and local realities, the masterclass contributed to strengthening the enabling environment for Palestine’s green and circular economy.
The Green Forward programme is funded by the European Union and implemented at the meso level by SPARK and Flow Accelerator in Palestine to foster a green and circular economy in the Southern Neighbourhood.
