ETN joins COMMIT's seminar in Greece

The partner meeting held on 15–16 September brought together European partners to exchange experiences and explore how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can be better supported in the green transition. ETN was represented by EU Advisor Kristoffer W. Moldekleiv.

‍COMMIT is an Interreg Europe project bringing together 12 partners from eight European countries to strengthen regional support systems for SMEs. The project addresses four key areas: information and knowledge, innovation and technology, finance, and skills.

Sharing knowledge and best practices

The two-day meeting focused on improving SMEs' access to information and advisory services. How can we make sure SMEs have access to the knowledge they need, when they need it, and ensure they can apply it? Through presentations, workshops and discussions, partners exchanged experiences, identified challenges and explored how regional support systems can better respond to the needs of businesses navigating the low-carbon transition.

A particular emphasis was placed on making advisory services more accessible to smaller enterprises, which often lack the resources and expertise needed to adopt new technologies and adapt to changing market conditions.

Learning from western Macedonia's Energy Transition

Western Macedonia provided a relevant setting for the meeting. Traditionally dependent on lignite mining and coal-based electricity production, the region is undergoing a major economic transformation as it transitions towards a low-carbon economy.

The programme included study visits to the Lignite Centre of Western Macedonia and the Hydrogen Innovation Hub in Ptolemaida, offering insights into the region's industrial heritage, emerging technologies and opportunities for new value chains. Partners also visited ALPHA ESTATE Winery to learn about regional business diversification and innovation.

The insights gathered will contribute to COMMIT's ongoing policy learning process and help develop more effective regional support systems for SMEs.

Through its participation in COMMIT, ETN contributes to European knowledge exchange and cooperation aimed at strengthening innovation, competitiveness and opportunities for SMEs in the green transition.