Enhancing Small Business Sustainability for a Thriving Democracy

Empowering Small Businesses for a Sustainable Future

Small businesses are the backbone of our communities, driving local economies and fostering social cohesion. Yet, many struggle to adapt to climate change and economic instability due to limited resources and support.

The Challenge:

Small businesses in the SF Bay Area face unique barriers to adopting sustainable practices. Unlike large corporations, they often lack access to necessary resources and guidance, which hinders their ability to navigate economic and environmental challenges.

Our Approach:

Our project aims to:

  1. Identify Barriers: Analyze the specific challenges small businesses encounter in implementing sustainability practices.
  2. Enhance Resilience: Offer targeted climate and workforce preparedness training to boost their ability to handle economic and environmental shocks.

Why It Matters:

Supporting small businesses in adopting sustainable practices is crucial for bridging the equity gap between them and large corporations. Our goal is to ensure these businesses can thrive, contributing to a more resilient and equitable economy.

Our Strategy:

We take an interdisciplinary approach, blending insights from economics, environmental science, and social sciences to create actionable solutions. Key activities include:

  • Economic Insights: Partnering with community banks to address financial hurdles.
  • Environmental Expertise: Developing strategies to mitigate climate impacts.
  • Community Engagement: Collaborating with local organizations to tailor our approach.

Our Team:

  • Angeli Patel, Executive Director, Berkeley Center for Law and Business
  • Stavros Gadinis, Professor, Berkeley Law
  • Silvia Fregoni, JSD Candidate, Berkeley Law
  • Kuhu Mathur, Project Policy Analyst, Berkeley Center for Law and Business

Contact Us:

For more information or to support our project, please reach out to Angeli Patel or Kuhu Mathur.

Join us in empowering small businesses to lead the way toward a sustainable and equitable future!