SME Initiative Energy Transition and Climate Protection

The SME Initiative has the objective to help SMEs in improving their energy efficiency and target their energy saving potential while at the same time ensuring their competitiveness. SMEs are considered important actors for the energy transition as they are pioneering and driving development. However, they are the most exposed to risks of security of supply and rising prices of energy and thus require specific support. The initiative has three main focus areas: Strengthening the local dialogue; Optimising information and consultation; Improving education, training and exchange of experience. Thus, SMEs have the opportunity to engage dialogue with the Initiative’s stakeholders, to benefit from local contacts as well as receiving trainings and information and concrete assistance in the process of becoming more energy efficient. The approach focusses therefore very much on networking and business support measures, which are cluster organisations' areas of expertise.