Project

Sustainability reporting tooling transition towards sustainable and circular communities

Abbreviation
Sustainable SMEs
Project type
Development project
Focus area
Sustainable Bioeconomy and Energy Solutions
Implementation time
1.1.2025 - 31.3.2028
Financing program
Interreg Northern Periphery and Arctic 2021-2027
Primary home page
https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/sustainable-smes/
UN Sustainable development goals
Project description
The European Union's sustainability reporting and taxonomy legislation poses challenges for SMEs, which may not have the capacity or resources to meet the requirements of the legislation. The Sustainable SMEs project aims to support SMEs in the bioeconomy and manufacturing industries by developing, piloting, and sharing sustainability reporting solutions and best practices. This will enhance the competitiveness and market reach of SMEs and promote sustainable growth.

The project focuses on three areas in particular:

Engaging and encouraging SMEs and their stakeholders to sustainability transition

At the beginning of the project, an overview of the current state of sustainability reporting and possible challenges in the target group organizations is formed. This information will be gathered through interviews and collaborative learning workshops. At the same time, the project will raise awareness of sustainability and reporting related topics among SMEs by organizing webinars and other events.

Developing and piloting sustainability reporting solutions

Once there is an overview of the current state of sustainability reporting and the interest of target groups has been awakened, the project will proceed with choosing a few sustainability reporting solutions, such as tools and best practices, that best meet the challenges of the project's target groups. SMEs and their stakeholders are then able to collaboratively pilot these solutions. The project will pilot both existing tools and tools developed during the project, which include training materials on the use of data analysis, a guide to generative artificial intelligence, and a guide to sustainability reporting for SMEs.

Increasing impact

After the pilot phase, the impact of the project will be increased by disseminating the best sustainability reporting solutions within the wider NPA program area. SMEs will also be offered mentoring for their specific challenges of sustainability reporting.

The aim of the project is to provide SMEs with the information and skills needed to meet the sustainability reporting requirements of their current and potential customers, and to help them understand the EU's upcoming sustainability reporting legislation. This way the project supports the sustainability transition of SMEs.

Project partners
Jamk University of Applied Sciences, Finland
BioFuel Region, Sweden
AIM Centre, Ireland
Irish Wood and Interiors Network CLG, Ireland
University of Iceland, Iceland

Project duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Funding: Interreg NPA
Total budget: €1,394,549.94

Project website: https://www.interreg-npa.eu/projects/sustainable-smes/ 

Further information:
Project Manager
Marianne Lampi
[email protected]
+358 50 400 3283