Unlocking SME Energy Potential: Small businesses on the path to green transformation

📅 June 16, 2025
📌 SMEnergy project (Interreg Danube Region)

More than 4,000 small and medium-sized enterprises in Upper Austria, Slovenia and southern Sweden have already benefited from the model One-Stop-Shop (OSS) — a comprehensive approach that provides them with expert support, connections to contractors, and access to financing for energy efficiency and renewables.

On international online conference Unlocking SME Energy Potential, within the framework of SMEnergy project, experts from eight countries presented good practices and concrete solutions to help SMEs make the green transition. Special emphasis was placed on:

🔹 transnational pilots of new OSS centers (Tea Omulec Potočnik, LEASP-Slovenia)
🔹 mentoring and local partnerships (Lena Eckerberg, Southern Sweden Energy Agency)
🔹 structured support pathways for SMEs (John Flynn, SEAI-Ireland)
🔹 long-term operating systems (Christiane Egger, Energy Saving Association of Upper Austria)
🔹 new advisory networks of local energy agencies (Milan Klemenc, LEASP and Rajko Leban-Slovenia)

The expert roundtable addressed key barriers and opportunities for scaling up OSS approaches across Europe, particularly in regions where they are still in their infancy. The discussion clearly demonstrated that small businesses need accessible, tailored and trusted support for an effective energy transformation.

📌 More about the project: https://interreg-danube.eu/projects/smenergy