First COMMIT semester meeting held in Slovenia

The EU-funded COMMIT project partners, including Energy Transition Norway (ETN), gathered in Velenje, Slovenia, on September 17th and 18th for their first work meeting.

The initiative, funded by the Interreg Europe programme, brings together nine partners from eight European countries with a shared vision of supporting Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) through the industrial transition, with a specific focus on regions like Rogaland, Norway.

At its core, the COMMIT project aims to create a robust support ecosystem for SMEs by addressing critical challenges in areas like innovation, finance, skills development, and access to information.

The meeting in Velenje aimed to establish a cohesive approach to guiding local and regional authorities in fostering SME growth and adapting to the green transition.

A green future for SMEs

The green transition offers vast potential for SMEs, particularly in emerging sectors such as clean technology, energy efficiency, and circular economy initiatives.

With Europe aiming to reduce emissions and bolster sustainable energy solutions, SMEs are well-positioned to capitalize on these new markets.

However, their success largely hinges on the effectiveness of regional strategies and governance frameworks.

Kristoffer Moldekleiv, EU advisor at Energy Transition Norway, emphasized the importance of collaboration across borders:

- The industrial shift driven by the green transition offers a lot of potential for SMEs in Rogaland. By leveraging shared knowledge and learning from other regions, we can ensure that Norwegian SMEs are not just participants but leaders in Europe’s sustainable future.

A spotlight on Velenje’s energy transition

The meeting took place in Velenje, a small town in Slovenia's Savinja Šalek region, home to the still-operating Velenje Coal Mine and the Šoštanj Thermal Power Plant.

These facilities play a vital role in Slovenia's energy production, contributing a third of the nation’s annual electricity supply.

However, the challenge of transitioning this energy hub toward low-carbon and renewable energy alternatives such as solar, wind, hydrogen, and CCUS, is immense.

Participants at the meeting explored strategies tailored to each region’s unique industrial landscape, sharing both successes and lessons learned. The focus was on identifying key areas where access to knowledge, innovation, finance, and skills must be enhanced to enable SMEs to thrive in the green economy.

Paving the way forward

COMMIT’s commitment to empowering SMEs across Europe, especially in regions like Rogaland, will be critical in the coming years.

With strategic pathways now being mapped out, this project has the potential to drive meaningful change and foster an environment where SMEs can grow, innovate, and lead in the green transition.

The next steps include regional workshops and collaborative efforts to ensure these goals are not only met but exceeded.