The importance of micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises in the economic structure of Europe is best illustrated by the fact that they account for 99% of all enterprises in the European Union, provide two-thirds of jobs in the private sector, and are responsible for more than half of the total value added. Recognizing them not only as the foundation of the European economy but also as one of the main drivers of sustainable transition, Generali has dedicated its strategic initiative SME EnterPRIZE to small and medium-sized enterprises, aiming to encourage their further development. As a result, Croatian small and medium-sized enterprises also have the opportunity to win valuable awards and promote their business model at the national and international level.
This year, until June 4, 2023, small and medium-sized enterprises that are also clients of Generali Insurance or Privredna Banka Zagreb and members of the association Glas poduzetnika can apply for the SME EnterPRIZE competition. Within the categories “Community” and “Environment,” the best sustainable practices will be rewarded, specifically those enterprises that care about the sustainability of their business and stakeholder relations and are focused on the well-being of the community and the environment. The best sustainable entrepreneurial practice from Croatia, which will then be declared among the category winners, will be presented at the international event Generali SME EnterPRIZE in Brussels on November 28, 2023.
Become a Sustainability Hero
In the category “Community“, small and medium-sized enterprises that positively impact the communities and territories in which they operate and/or improve the well-being of their employees and families can apply. For example, these are enterprises that contribute to community organizations or projects, implement employee volunteering programs, employ or empower disadvantaged individuals, and work on including people with disabilities in the community. Additionally, the employment of local workers and suppliers, community involvement in situations where business negatively affects the community, support for community-led development, financing learning programs for the local population, or programs for retraining or upskilling local workers, and other practices are also valued.
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In the category ‘Environment‘ small and medium-sized enterprises that positively impact the environment by reducing resource consumption, implementing recycling processes, and using raw materials in other ways can apply. Achievements such as reducing energy consumption, recycling and remediation of raw materials, circular economy practices, new production methods that create less waste or reuse used materials, the use of new types of materials, and the development of energy-saving technologies, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, and avoiding unnecessary food waste, as well as adopting new agricultural practices with an emphasis on better protection of biodiversity and soil, are certainly valued.
The winners of each category will be determined by a jury composed of prominent experts from the academic community, media professionals, and entrepreneurs, and the award ceremony will take place in Zagreb in July 2023, at a special showcase of finalists.
The overall winner of the competition, “The Best Sustainable Entrepreneurial Practice” from Croatia, will then be selected by an international scientific committee that gathers experts from the academic community, institutions, and the economy. The company that will carry this title will be presented at the international event Generali SME EnterPRIZE in Brussels on November 28 of this year. More details about applying for the competition can be found here.
A partner to entrepreneurs and support for a more sustainable future
Sustainability represents an opportunity for the growth of small and medium-sized enterprises, as concluded in the White Paper SME EnterPRIZE, prepared by the SDA Bocconi School of Management in collaboration with Generali, showing a positive relationship between sustainability and the financial performance of small and medium-sized enterprises, as sustainable behaviors can secure key resources and opportunities. The strategic initiative SME EnterPRIZE highlights sustainability heroes – small and medium-sized enterprises that have implemented significant sustainability initiatives in their business activities and represent inspiring models for other entrepreneurs. Embedded in the strategic plan of the Generali Group “Lifetime Partner 24: Driving Growth,” the SME EnterPRIZE initiative promotes a more inclusive and greener economy in line with the European Green Deal and the Next Generation EU initiative.
Open the way to your own story of sustainable success and apply for the SME EnterPRIZE competition here.
