Key actors: the National Council of Science and Technology
The National Council of Science and Technology (Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnología, CONCYTEC in Spanish acronym) is the Peruvian governmental agency that regulates, coordinates
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and promotes science, technology and innovation oriented to enhance competitiveness and human development (CONCYTEC website, 2011).
The CONCYTEC’s Cleaner Technology Programme promoted cleaner technologies in SMEs in Peru. This programme focused on knowledge generation and technology transfer, social appropriation of clean technologies, transformation processes, added value, bio-industry, natural products, fair trade and poverty fighting (CONCYTEC website, 2010; Sustainable Alternatives website, 2009+ Oliveros, 2006, interview). The programme was closed in 2005 due to lack of funding.
From 2006 onwards the support of CONCYTEC to SMEs was dispersed over several other programmes, including aquaculture, ICT, agriculture and agri-industry, medicinal plants, biotechnology, materials, vulnerability and the social dimension of science. Currently, CONCYTEC does not directly implement projects of technological transfer towards SMEs anymore. CONCYTEC promotes sustainable SMEs only indirectly, by establishing national research planning and guidelines, and providing funding for research (Huerta, 2011, interview). Funding for research on science and technology is operationalized in four schemes: projects of technological transfer (PROTEC), projects of innovation for competitiveness (PROCOM) and projects of scientific, technological research (PROCYT) and special projects (Paradigmas, 2010). Recently, CONCYTEC has also established the INNOTEC platform that promotes technological innovations that might potentially be applied to sustainable SME development (INNOTEC website, 2010).
Key actors: Technological Transfer Platform
The Technological Transfer Network (TTN) is a platform of five countries (Brazil, India, Nicaragua, Peru and Tanzania) that aims to exchange information on cleaner technologies and to enhance the transfer of cleaner and appropriate technologies for SMEs among developing countries. The platform has an online best practices database on cleaner and appropriate technologies called ‘Sustainable Alternatives Network (SANET)’. The database has collected 1,473 case studies, 677 experts, 316 planning tools and 79 finance sources worldwide (Sustainable Alternatives website, 2010). The database is intended to be a resource for NGOs, universities, research centers and organizations that work directly with SMEs, especially rural enterprises (Sanchez, 2009, interview). Using the database, in 2005 UNEP offered a pilot online learning course on industrial energy efficiency (Sustainable Alternatives website, 2010).
The TTN Andean branch (called ‘red Andina para la transferencia de tecnologias limpias’, in Spanish) and the TTN Peruvian sub-branch focus on the implementation of regional multilateral agreements about Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs). These mandates were discussed on the 4th meeting of the sub-regional committee of SMEs of the Andean Community (CAN) and the 14th meeting of the Andean Council of Science and Technology (CACYT) on November 2004 (CAN website, 2010). The Andean branch of TTN prioritizes the following sectors: mining, textile, garment, agri-industry, forestry and energy (CONCYTEC website, 2010). The TTN Andean branch and the TTN Peruvian sub-branch were hosted on the CONCYTEC webpage (www.concytec.gob.pe), but they are currently (2012) no available anymore.
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Network relationships: cooperation
CONCYTEC cooperates with NGOs, universities, governmental agencies and international cooperation agencies to promote cleaner technologies in SMEs. CONCYTEC has played an active role in mobilizing and linking up local, national and regional actors to transfer technology to small scale industries and small scale producers.
CONCYTEC had an active participation in the implementation of the Technological Transfer Network (TTN) during the period 2004-2005. In March 2005 The Andean branch of the TTN platform held a meeting in Lima with UNEP to request additional financial support for the operational phase of the platform, this time including also Venezuela, Colombia and Ecuador, in addition to the initial countries (Sustainable Alternatives website, 2009+ Oliveros, 2006, interview). However, UNEP did not commit additional financial support to continue this project. CONCYTEC also collaborated in the implementation of the Horizontal Cooperation Programme on Cleaner Technology and Renewable Energy (‘Programa de Cooperación Horizontal en Tecnologías Limpias y Energía Renovable’, in Spanish) for 2005-2006. The Programme aimed to promote the adoption of cleaner technology and the use of renewable energy by micro and small enterprises in such a way that they can be prepared to apply for certifications (ISO 9000, ISO 14000 and SA 8000). The programme prioritized agri-industries (e.g. tanneries, dairies) and waste and sewage treatment plants. The programme was implemented in 9 Latin American countries (Argentina, Ecuador, El Salvador, México, Panamá, Paraguay, Perú, Trinidad y Tobago, y Surinam) (CONCYTEC website, 2010).
Till 2005, CONCYTEC had intensively collaborated with ITACAB, Practical Action Peru, Rainforest, Procabra and Energy, Development and Life (EDEVI) to support SMEs. These NGOs helped CONCYTEC to identify successful SMEs and best practices in SMEs. CONCYTEC had also ties with several national governmental agencies to reach particular SME sectors, especially agri-industries and manufacturing. CONCYTEC also established ties with domestic business associations (e.g. ADEX), banks (e.g. Peru Credito Bank), universities and technical schools (e.g. the National School for Industrial Training). At regional level, CONCYTEC cooperates with their pair institutions of science and technology of Brazil and Nicaragua at the TTN platform and with the aforementioned 9 Latin American countries participating in the Horizontal Cooperation Programme on Cleaner Technology and Renewable Energy (CONCYTEC website, 2009).
During 2004-2006 CONCYTEC strengthened collaboration with several international cooperation agencies promoting the transfer of cleaner technologies. The Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) are a few examples. They provided to CONCYTEC financial support and expertise (CONCYTEC website, 2009; Oliveros, 2006, interview). While UNEP, with funding support of GEF, established TTN and SANET, OAS established the Horizontal Cooperation Programme on Cleaner Technology and Renewable Energy in 2005.
With the collaboration of UNEP, in 2009 CONCYTEC and the Ministry of Environment launched the 2010–2021 national agenda for scientific research in climate change. The agenda calls for research on technology (modern, appropriate and traditional) to adapt to climate change (MINAM, 2010+ Huerta, 2011, interview).
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Currently, CONCYTEC keeps ties with most of the aforementioned organizations but no collaborative work on cleaner technology has been identified. Although CONCYTEC works closer to ITACAB, the Ministry of Environment, the National Agrarian University and the National University of Engineering, it does not have connection with most NGOs and platforms of the appropriate technology network or the eco-efficiency network. Currently CONCYTEC focuses on providing funding for research projects at the national level, including for SMEs development (Huerta, 2011, interview).
Network relationships: power
This section analyzes the power relationship and distribution in the cleaner technology network, focusing on key organizations identified in Peru and their international connections. CONCYTEC is the national node of the cleaner technology network. TTN and OAS are the regional nodes and UNEP is the global node.
CONCYTEC has been the coordinator of the TTN Andean region during the pilot phase (till 2005) and the coordinator of the aforementioned OAS project till 2006. During this time, CONCYTEC brought together technological research centers and NGOs to implement demonstrative projects on cleaner technology, renewable energy and energy efficiency within small scale enterprises in Peru (CONCYTEC website, 2010). TTN is currently not as active in terms of coordination and cooperation as it was during the period 2004-2005. Most affiliated organizations joined TTN to gain legitimacy in public eyes and to explore opportunities of funding for their own projects. OAS promotes cleaner production and renewable energy in Latin America for SMEs in cooperation with UNEP, World Bank, the German Technical Cooperation and the Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (OAS, 2004; OAS, website, 2010). In cooperation with OAS, UNEP designs projects and provides funding and guidance to governmental agencies, including CONCYTEC in Peru, for improving technology in SMEs worldwide. For instance, the implementation of the aforementioned projects by CONCYTEC has been done in close coordination with UNEP and OAS. By doing so, UNEP and OAS intended to enhance capabilities of governmental institutions on science and technology. However, expertise and access to funding from donors were controlled by UNEP and OAS, not by CONCYTEC. The position of actors (e.g. in being key partners and receivers of funding) depended from UNEP and OAS. SMEs were not part of such decision making processes on the promotion of cleaner technologies.