Final Days to Apply for the Generali SME EnterPRIZE Competition!

Only a few days remain, until August 31, for small and medium-sized enterprises in Croatia to seize the unique opportunity to apply for the fourth edition of Generali SME EnterPRIZE competition and showcase how sustainability can be the foundation of business success. This competition allows entrepreneurs operating in the fields of community care or environmental protection to tell their story and gain valuable recognition and awards. SMEs eligible to apply include: clients of Generali Insurance, clients of Privredna Banka Zagreb, members of the association Glas Poduzetnika, members of the Croatian Business Council for Sustainable Development, members of the Italian-Croatian Chamber of Commerce, and members of Women in Adria.

Valuable Prizes and International Visibility

Participants in the competition have the opportunity to win valuable prizes awarded by Generali, with a prize pool exceeding 18,000 euros. The overall winner, who holds the prestigious title of “Sustainability Hero,” will also have the chance to present their business at the international Generali SME EnterPRIZE event in Brussels in March 2026, in front of a European audience. Thus, the competition provides entrepreneurs not only with an award but also significant visibility, an opportunity to network with peers from across Europe, and an additional incentive to develop sustainable business models.

About SME EnterPRIZE

SME EnterPRIZE is the leading initiative of the Generali Group to promote sustainability among European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and support the integration of sustainable practices into their operations. Therefore, Generali, one of the largest integrated insurance and asset management groups in the world, is once again in search of “Sustainability Heroes” – the most sustainable SMEs in 10 European countries: Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

Inspirational Croatian Examples

Hrvatski kišobran, last year’s winner of the competition in Croatia, presented their story of inclusive employment and quality production in Brussels. Their example demonstrates how sustainable business can be a driver of growth and development, as well as an inspiration to others.

White Paper on Sustainability

The importance of this initiative is also confirmed by the White Paper, a research project resulting from the joint efforts of the Generali Group and SDA Bocconi Sustainability Lab from Milan. This comprehensive report provides new insights and conclusions about the efforts of as many as 1,260 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe in their sustainable transition. The results show that, despite numerous challenges, an increasing number of entrepreneurs are adopting sustainable practices that bring competitive advantages, greater employee motivation, and better access to financing, but also that additional support is needed to accelerate the transition. In Croatia, more and more Croatian SMEs recognize that investing in sustainability brings them concrete benefits – not only financial but also reputational and market-related.

Final Call for Applications

– Our goal is to show that sustainability is not just an obligation, but also a powerful driver of innovation and growth. We invite entrepreneurs to take this last opportunity and apply for the competition – say representatives from Generali.

Applications are open until August 31, 2025. via the official website www.generali.hr/sme-enterprize – apply and do not miss the chance to become part of the European story of sustainable entrepreneurship.