TU Braunschweig supports SMEs on their way to sustainability Open call: Second round of funding starts

The European Commission has published a list of 16 advanced technologies that will receive funding in 2021. According to the European Commission, these include artificial intelligence, blockchain, robotics, industrial biotechnology, the Internet of Things and blockchain – technologies that will pave the way for a sustainable future in line with the Green Deal. Companies want to implement these solutions and become more sustainable as a result. However, the question often arises as to which of the new technologies can really offer benefits for their own use case. To better assess this, scientists at Technische Universität Braunschweig have developed methods to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make the switch as part of the “greenSME” project. From 15 May to 31 July, companies can apply for a transformation support programme.

The transition to a more sustainable way of doing business requires careful planning. As part of a European network, staff at the Institute for Machine Tools and Production Engineering (IWF) at Technische Universität Braunschweig are helping to support the resulting processes and tasks in small and medium-sized enterprises. As part of the European “greenSME” project, a digitalised and structured approach has been developed for companies in Europe.

“Companies play a key role in a future that meets global sustainability requirements,” says Professor Christoph Herrmann, Director of the Institute and Professor of Sustainable Production and Life Cycle Engineering. “We are delighted that the methods we have developed are being used successfully throughout Europe to bring about change.”

In addition to technological issues, organisational issues also need to be addressed. If a company wants to change its business model, improve the skills of its workforce, strengthen relationships with key partners, use LCA for product or process innovation or establish resource management, there are opportunities for partial funding. Companies from the European Union that qualify as small or medium-sized enterprises according to the EU definition are eligible for funding. This is defined as having fewer than 250 employees and an annual turnover of less than €50 million.

Five steps to sustainable transformation

The process co-developed in Braunschweig consists of five steps. “The first step is to register on the greenSME Hub to gain access to the community, to learning content, to important topics such as sustainability, digitalisation and the circular economy and to our team of experts,” explains Nelli Kononova, a doctoral student involved in the project. “The most important fields of action are then identified through a self-assessment.”

In an online workshop, these areas of action are translated into concrete measures in an action plan together with the company. As soon as the company has selected one of the proposed measures, targeted service and technology providers are selected from the community. One or two service and technology providers can then submit a short online application for financial support of up to 35,000 euros to implement an action plan.

In the first phase of the project, 41 action plans have already been developed, 18 of which were supported in online workshops developed by TU Braunschweig. There are currently 21 projects in the implementation phase that have already made successful progress and received an advance payment from the funding. “We expect all projects to be finalised and receive full funding in the near future. And it is already foreseeable that even more companies will apply in the second open call,” says Professor Herrmann, looking to the future.

Local companies can also benefit

With the growing greenSME community, which already has 300 members from manufacturing companies and technology providers across Europe, the chances of new interested parties finding the right partners to implement their sustainability measures are good. “We would be particularly pleased to see a strong participation of companies from the region in the second round of funding,” says Nelli Kononova. “This would not only support the companies on their transformation journey, but also expand their local and European network.” The open call is open from 15 May to 31 July 2024, and companies with selected technology providers can apply for the second round of funding.

What is greenSME?

The greenSME project, funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, is a pioneering initiative to help small and medium-sized enterprises integrate sustainable practices into their business models. Through a wide range of resources, training and community activities, greenSME aims to foster a more sustainable business ecosystem and help companies achieve a neutral to positive environmental impact.

The project focuses on two main aspects:

1. Supporting and promoting manufacturing and processing SMEs: greenSME provides support and promotion to SMEs to increase their environmental, social and economic sustainability through the use of innovative technologies, social innovations or environmental services.
2. Building a sustainable EU ecosystem: greenSME aims to strengthen a sustainable EU ecosystem for the manufacturing sector and create a strong community of like-minded SMEs that share a commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

Within this ecosystem, SMEs will be given the opportunity to start their transformation journey and receive funding to implement the measures. Companies interested in participating in the greenSME project can find out more and register on the project’s official website at https://greensmehub.eu/.

This project has been funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under the grant agreement 101058613.