• Support for German SMEs to improve their energy efficiency while remaining competitive
• Savings in energy costs occur as investments pay off with a high internal rate of return and short payback period

The SME Initiative Energy Transition and Climate Protection (Mittelstandsinitiative Energiewende und Klimaschutz) is helping the German SME sector by supporting the implementation of the energy transition triggered by the German government.

The Sustainability Code provides support in development of sustainability/CSR reports. It was established by the German Council for Sustainable Development (RNE); however, it's open for all European companies.

To comply with the Sustainability Code, users create a declaration on the twenty Code criteria and supplementary non-financial performance indicators. Based on user's answers, the report is automatically generated. The system provides also verification of formal completeness of the report, which then can be published in a database.

Chwarae Teg’s Business Support Programme is a bespoke programme that aims to support businesses to improve efficiency and productivity, including resource efficiency.

It is available for SMEs across Wales, in particular enterprises between 10 and 250 employees up to £35 million turnover, and focuses on 10 key areas of the business:

The “Environment, Climate and Low Carbon Economy Program” (EEA Grants) was created following the signature of the Memorandum of Understanding between Portugal and Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein (the EEA Grants donor countries).

The Program is implemented in the following areas:

Fit4Circularity is a support scheme created in 2015 by LuxInnovation and targeting small and medium-sized enterprises, following the Fit4Digital and Fit4Innovation initiatives.

The scheme is dedicated to helping SMEs that are willing to make a more substantial commitment to sustainable development practices, and to implement a circular economy approach. The objectives are to limit the use of raw materials, maximise the use of renewable sources, develop innovative products and services for sustainable growth, reduce energy consumption and increase recyclability.

The Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology (LIST), in collaboration with the Environment Agency, has developed an inventory model for construction materials, as well as a guide for taking inventory of materials for building being demolished/disassembled.

Flécken a Léinen is an online platform for repair and rental services in Luxembourg. Not everything has to be bought new; rental and repair can be good alternatives both to save money and reduce waste.

On www.flecken-a-leinen.lu, consumers can find addresses of companies that will repair their equipment or favourite items, as well as tips on where different products typically only used occasionally can be rented.