Unlocking SMEs Resilience: Shaping Responsible Value Chains for the Future

This session explores ​the mission of the Watch & Jewellery Initiative 2030, a multistakeholder action platform dedicated to uniting the global value chain to advance climate resilience, resource preservation (nature & biodiversity), and fostering inclusiveness. At the center of this talk is the SME Solutions Lab, a WJI 2030 program developed in collaboration with CIBJO, specifically designed to strengthen the resilience of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing a tailored, stepwise pathway to embed sustainability into their day-to-day operations and long-term strategies. By addressing the growing regulatory complexity that impacts the industry, the session offers practical insights into turning compliance demands into strategic opportunities for de-risking and competitiveness. Participants will learn how to navigate these requirements through maturity-aligned pathways – Starter and Baseline – utilising open-source tools, virtual training, and the SME Workbook to operationalize ESG practices. From conducting materiality assessments to developing KPIs and ensuring transparency, this talk demonstrates how SMEs can actively shape the future of responsible value chains.