Generali presents SME EnterPRIZE in Brussels to promote sustainability among European small and medium-sized enterprises

By: Trademagazin Date: 2021. 09. 28. 10:50

Launched to mark Generali’s 190th anniversary, SME EnterPRIZE aims to promote new business models and stimulate public debate on sustainability
Over 6,000 companies took part, among which seven were selected as “Sustainability Heroes”
White Paper on SMEs’ approach to sustainability in Europe, developed by SDA Bocconi and promoted by Generali, was presented

Generali presented the first edition of SME EnterPRIZE, an initiative dedicated to European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to promote the adoption of sustainable business models and to provide visibility, also via a digital platform, to SMEs that have already done so, to stimulate public debate on the topic. SME EnterPRIZE is part of the initiatives launched to mark Generali’s 190^th anniversary.

European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, the Chairman of Assicurazioni Generali Gabriele Galateri di Genola, and the Group CEO Philippe Donnet attended the event to recognise the “Sustainability Heroes”, SMEs selected in seven European countries that have implemented notable sustainability initiatives in their businesses in three areas: environment, welfare and community. Vincenzo Amendola, Under Secretary of State to the Italian Presidency of the Council of Ministers, delegated to European Affairs in the Draghi government, intervened during the ceremony.

The European Commissioner for Financial Services Mairead McGuinness also participated via a video message.

The project, which involved representatives of the European Parliament and Commission, also aims to increase the awareness of the EU institutions and programmes dedicated to supporting the economic recovery and small and medium-sized enterprises, from Next Generation EU to the “European Framework in Support of SMEs” initiatives.

During the event, the conclusions of the White Paper “Fostering Sustainability in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises”, promoted by Generali and developed by SDA Bocconi – School of Management Sustainability Lab, were presented.

Generali Group CEO Philippe Donnet commented: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are a fundamental pillar of the European economy and one of the main drivers of the sustainable transition. SME EnterPRIZE is part of the strategic plan ‘Generali 2021’ and is in line with our ambition to promote a greener and more inclusive society, consistent with the European Green Deal and Next Generation EU. In addition to promoting the most noteworthy examples and supporting SMEs in adopting more sustainable business models and practices, we want to promote a continuous exchange of views with national and European institutions as well as the academia and other actors of the private sector to examine the challenges and development opportunities for a sector that is key to the sustainable growth of our continent’s economy.”

SME EnterPRIZE, Generali promotes a culture of sustainability

SME EnterPRIZE is Generali’s initiative to promote a culture of sustainability among European SMEs. It aims to inspire small and medium-sized enterprises to develop sustainable business models and stimulate public debate on the issue of sustainability.

Through SME EnterPRIZE, Generali aims to:

support SMEs in their sustainable transformation, in line with the European ambition to develop a more inclusive and green economy
stimulate public debate on the importance of sustainability for SMEs, promoting research on the topic
present notable examples of responsible business, inspiring small and medium entrepreneurs to develop sustainable behaviours in three areas: environment, welfare and community.

The Group wants to provide visibility to the best practices implemented in three categories:

welfare: SMEs which have improved the well-being of employees and their families
environment: SMEs which have contributed to important goals, such as the fight against climate change and the development of a circular economy
community: SMEs which have implemented initiatives that positively impact the communities and territories in which they operate.

The SME EnterPRIZE Scientific Committee is composed of ten representatives from the main EU institutions, NGOs, press and academic fields with relevant experience both in sustainability and SMEs: Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Co-President of the Club of Rome and Senior Associate and faculty member of the Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership (CISL), as well as Chair of the Expert Group on Economic and Societal Impact of Research & Innovation (European Commission); Bianca Dragomir, CEO of AVAESEN, Member of the “European High-Level Roundtable Industry 2030” and European Cluster Manager 2016/18; Kirsten Dunlop, CEO at Climate-KIC; Nicolas Hazard, Founder and CEO of INCO and Special Advisor to the European Commission in charge of Social Economy; Peggy Hollinger, International Business Editor at Financial Times; Marina Kaas, Vice-President European Entrepreneurs (CEA-PME) and Vice-President at Estonian Association of SMEs – EVEA; Paul Rübig, President of SME Connect, Member of the EIT Governing Board, Former Member of the European Parliament and Member of the European Economic and Social Committee; Simone Tagliapietra, Senior fellow at Bruegel (Brussels European and Global Economic Laboratory) and Adjunct Professor at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan; Gianmario Verona, Rector at Università Bocconi; Anders Wijkman, former Member of the European Parliament, Honorary President of the Club of Rome, and member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.