Funded by
Erasmus+ KA2
Information
- Length: 2025
- Lead Partner: City of Trollhättan (SE)
- Members Involved: SERN (IT)
- Other Partners: Företagarna Trollhättan (SE)
- Associated Partner: Association of companies of Parma (IT)
- Priority Area: #Green&SustainableCommunities #ClimateAction
Contacts
- federica.gravina@sern.eu
- +393928695762
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 main objective addressed by the project partners will be to increase the capacity of SMEs to adopt and implement strategies and practices that make a positive contribution to biodiversity in industrial areas.
Specifically, the project aims at raising awareness among SMEs about the importance of biodiversity and the role that businesses can play in its conservation.
Finally, partners will collaborate to Identify the training needs of entrepreneurs and municipal professionals both in Italy and Sweden in relation to the knowledge and skills required to integrate biodiversity considerations into business practices.
Activities
To achieve its objectives, the LEAF project implemented a structured set of transnational and local activities aimed at supporting SMEs and local authorities in integrating biodiversity and sustainability into industrial and urban development practices. These activities combined study visits, knowledge exchange, capacity building, and analytical work, creating practical learning opportunities and strengthening long-term cooperation among partners.
Kick-off Seminar in Italy (March 2025)
On 12–13 March 2025, the kick-off meeting of the LEAF project was held in Italy, bringing together SERN, Företagarna Trollhättan, the City of Trollhättan, and Unione Parmense degli Industriali as associated partner.
The seminar aimed to strengthen cooperation among partners and stakeholders and to explore concrete approaches to integrating biodiversity into industrial and business practices.
Participants visited two leading companies based in Parma:
Laterlite Spa, which presented its nature trail and sustainability initiatives, including CO₂ reduction measures, solar energy use, and environmentally responsible production processes.
Davines, where participants explored the company’s “village” model, including the scientific garden and the European Regenerative Organic Center (EROC). In partnership with the Rodale Institute, Davines developed and tested regenerative and organic farming practices.
Both companies are members of the Kilometro Verde Parma initiative, which involved 115 members and led to the planting of over 76,000 trees in the last four years, promoting public participation and supporting local climate commitments.
The kick-off seminar laid the groundwork for the project’s subsequent activities, supporting the identification of good practices, training needs, and innovative solutions to enhance biodiversity in industrial and urbanised areas.
Transnational Seminar in Sweden (September 2025)
The transnational seminar of the LEAF project was held in Trollhättan on 17–18 September 2025.
The event brought together representatives of SMEs, local authorities, business associations, and research centres to reflect on the role of small and medium-sized enterprises in the ecological transition and biodiversity protection.
The Italian delegation included the Municipality of Parma, Unione Parmense degli Industriali, the companies Laterlite Spa, and Davines Group, which shared experiences and good practices developed in Emilia-Romagna.
Over the two days, the programme combined expert presentations, company testimonies, and interactive workshops, aiming to foster dialogue between public and private actors and to support the development of new collaborations. The seminar highlighted how biodiversity protection can become a driver for innovation and competitiveness within SMEs.
Part of the programme was also dedicated to study visits in the Trollhättan area, allowing participants to explore local sustainable management practices and urban planning initiatives supporting biodiversity.
Training needs assessment for biodiversity integration in business and municipal action
As part of its core activities, the LEAF project produced a comprehensive Training Needs Assessment for Biodiversity Integration in Business and Municipal Action, aimed at analysing policy frameworks, good practices, and skills gaps in Italy and Sweden. The document examined EU and local biodiversity strategies, methods of cooperation between municipalities and businesses, and tools for engaging SMEs in conservation initiatives. It also presented concrete case studies and mapped successful practices in industrial and urban areas.
Based on this analysis, the report identified key training needs for entrepreneurs and public officials, highlighting the competences required to integrate biodiversity into business operations, land management, and urban planning. The assessment provided an evidence-based foundation for future capacity-building activities and supported the development of practical, transferable solutions within the project.
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 on how to integrate biodiversity into business practices that can be shared.
- Identified relevant VET needs among the stakeholders about biodiversity conservation in industrial areas.
- Established a collaborative network of stakeholders committed to biodiversity conservation.
- Provided counselling and strategic support to SMEs.
| Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them. |