Improving resource efficiency in SMEs

The guide aims to illustrate how strategic regional public support can offer SMEs a favourable environment, and support them in implementing resource-efficiency measures with a view to saving costs and staying competitive. It should be viewed as a practical toolbox, with ideas and input having been taken from several projects at national, regional and local level. Member States can support SMEs in becoming more resource efficient by creating a positive environment and by means of financial support, by providing advice, training and enabling networks. This guidebook presents a number of concrete examples of projects taken from across Europe. Many of these projects contain potential instruments for developing and implementing regional strategies that reflect this new direction. Some of the examples depicted here are either co-financed by the European Structural and Investment Funds (ESI Funds) or by other European Funds, whereas others have not benefited from this type of funding. They do, however, all illustrate how European Funds, when used effectively, can generate and stimulate resource-efficiency improvements and opportunities for SMEs.