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Description
Many Greek SMEs lack the digital skills and green innovation expertise needed to help them remain competitive in the global market. This project aims to address this gap by providing ICT and green innovation training to SMEs in Greece, with the goal of increasing their competitiveness & sustainability. The topics to be trained in concern issues related to website development, social media marketing, and e-commerce, as well as green topics related to circular economy for small businesses, renewable energy & efficiency, sustainable supply chain management, etc. Action Finance Initiative will partner with the Norwegian company, IDN, which will provide best practices on sustainability training for Greek companies.
Summary of project results
Greece''s economy has been facing challenges for the past decade, with many SMEs struggling to stay competitive in an increasingly globalized market. Many of these businesses lack the digital skills and green innovation expertise needed to succeed, thus this project aimed to address this gap by providing ICT and green innovation training for SMEs in Greece, with the goal of increasing their competitiveness and driving economic growth, while also contributing to the growth and development of the Greek economy.
The objective of the project was to train SMEs in Greece in digital skills and provide them with green innovation expertise thus supporting them in adopting sustainable business practices, and helping them become more competitive. Specifically, 2 e-courses were developed and implemented for SMEs; one focused on Sustainability and Green Innovation and one concentrated on ICT and AI. Moreover, 10 e-learning training sessions on ICT/AI were developed and implemented. More than 60 SMEs participated in the training. The e-learning course on Sustainability and GI was developed in collaboration with IDN.
The project resulted in 60 SMEs increasing their knowledge and skills in the areas of ICT and Green Industry Innovation, which will lead to them becoming more competitive in their respective markets. In addition, the project promoter will develop new training services, and thus enhance its reputation for being at the forefront of promoting sustainable development and innovation in Greece. The project also contributed to the overall goal of building a more sustainable and competitive Greek economy.
Summary of bilateral results
The bilateral partnership led to a fruitful collaboration. The project promoter travelled to Norway at the beginning of the project for a workshop during which the needs and cultural nuances of Greek SMEs regarding Green Innovation and sustainability, focusing on strategies to engage and maintain their interest throughout the course. The donor partner, IDN, then developed the course content and traveled to Athens to train our team on effectively supporting SMEs during the course. The project has also strengthened the network and relationships among Greek SMEs and between Greek and Norwegian entities.