As European sustainability regulations evolve, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly expected to demonstrate their environmental and social responsibility. While many SMEs are not yet legally required to publish sustainability reports, initiatives like GREENSMARTMED, co-funded by Interreg Euro-MED, are helping them get ready for this shift, and turn it into an opportunity.
GREENSMARTMED – Green and Resilient European Excellence Network for Smart MED SMEs, supports SMEs in the Mediterranean manufacturing sector, including machinery, textiles, plastics, agri-food, mobility and batteries, in becoming more green, innovative and resilient. The project brings together businesses, academia, institutions and innovation actors across five countries to create a shared methodology and toolkit for driving sustainable transformation.
But how does this link to sustainability reporting?
A Strategic Connection to ESG and Reporting
One of the key aims of GREENSMARTMED is to help SMEs identify their environmental and social impacts, and improve how they manage and communicate them. This closely aligns with the core principles of “sustainability reporting“, such as those set out in the EU’s Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS).
Even though non-listed SMEs are not yet obliged to report under the CSRD, many are facing growing pressure from larger customers, banks and public institutions to disclose ESG-related data.
GREENSMARTMED addresses this by offering:
- Practical tools for measuring sustainability performance;
- Support in aligning with EU green objectives;
- Knowledge-sharing platforms to help SMEs adopt and report on sustainable practices.
Empowering SMEs, Preparing for the Future
By providing a hands-on, regionally adapted approach, GREENSMARTMED prepares SMEs to meet future regulatory and market demands, including voluntary sustainability reporting, and strengthens their position in green value chains. As the EU moves towards a more sustainable and transparent economic model, projects like GREENSMARTMED ensure that no SME is left behind in the green transition.
Sustainability is no longer just a compliance issue, it is becoming a driver of competitiveness, innovation, and trust across European markets. For Mediterranean SMEs, the transition may seem challenging, but with the right tools and collaborative networks, it can also unlock new opportunities. By linking practical support for green transformation with the emerging requirements of sustainability reporting, GREENSMARTMED positions SMEs not only to adapt, but to lead in the shift towards a greener economy.
As global supply chains, investors, and policymakers increasingly demand transparency and accountability, the SMEs that embrace this journey today will be the ones shaping the resilient, sustainable industries of tomorrow.
GREENSMARTMED is more than a project. It is a stepping stone for SMEs to turn sustainability into a strategic asset for long-term growth.
