Funded by

Erasmus+ KA2

Information
Contacts
Federica Gravina
Project Officer - SERN

LEAF

Learning and engaging for action on biodiversity-friendly SMEs

About the project

This project addresses critical challenges related to biodiversity and sustainability, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal and Biodiversity Strategy for 2030. These objectives emphasize the need to integrate biodiversity into corporate governance, restore ecosystems, and promote green infrastructure in urban and peri-urban areas. SMEs, which form the backbone of the European economy—particularly in Emilia Romagna and Västra Götaland—are key to achieving these goals but face significant gaps in understanding and implementing biodiversity practices. Industrial expansion and urbanization have led to habitat loss, with limited efforts targeting industrial areas or involving SMEs in conservation efforts. To bridge this gap, the project will collect best practices, provide professional counseling, and explore innovative training approaches, empowering SMEs to adopt sustainable practices. By enhancing their capacity, the project fosters biodiversity conservation while promoting a culture of continuous professional development within business communities and municipalities.

Objectives

The project will be addressing one general objective as well as two specific objectives. They are as follows:

General Objective:

  • To increase the capacity of SMEs to adopt and implement strategies and practices that make a positive contribution to biodiversity.

Specific Objectives:

  • Raise awareness among SMEs of the importance of biodiversity and the role that businesses can play in its conservation.
  • Identify the training needs of entrepreneurs and municipal professionals in relation to the knowledge and skills required to integrate biodiversity considerations into business practices.

Activities

  • Kick-off meeting
  • Collection of showcases and counselling
  • Transnational seminar
  • Final report on training needs

Results

  • Increased knowledge and awareness among SME owners, municipal professionals and other target groups about biodiversity and its importance for local sustainable development. 
  • Identified good examples/showcases in Sweden and Italy that can be shared.
  •  Identified relevant VET-needs among the stakeholders on this topic.
  • Established a collaborative network of stakeholders committed to biodiversity conservation. 
  • Provided counselling and support to a certain number of SMEs.
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