From September 17th to 18th, 2024, our ENTRA-Lab team had the privilege of attending the impactful COMMIT project seminar in Velenje, Slovenia. This two-day event focused on the theme of “Strategy Design” and included a site visit to the Savinja-Šalek coal-intensive region, which is currently undergoing a significant industrial transition toward a low-carbon economy.
The seminar brought together key stakeholders and partners from regions across Europe, offering a collaborative platform to exchange knowledge, share best practices, and explore innovative solutions for supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the ongoing green transition.
Representing ENTRA-Lab, our Director and Scientific Lead Dr. Lefteris Topaloglou, Dr. Despoina Kanteler, and our associate researchers and PhD candidates Fenia Pliatsika and Konstantina Nikolaidou were present. As part of the seminar, Fenia Pliatsika delivered a presentation on “Good Practices in Energy Development” in the Region of Western Macedonia, a research project completed with the contribution of Konstantina Nikolaidou. The presentation highlighted energy initiatives and best practices aimed at enabling SMEs in our region to thrive within the framework of a sustainable and low-carbon economy.
The seminar also provided an opportunity to learn from the Savinja-Šalek region’s ongoing efforts in managing its industrial heritage while advancing toward a more sustainable future. The region, known for its coal-intensive economy and energy production, is in the midst of a just transition, focusing on balancing energy needs with the goals of decarbonization. Participants engaged in in-depth discussions, roundtable sessions, and site visits, including a trip to the Upper Savinja Valley and the Museum of Forestry and Timber, where the region’s transition efforts were showcased.
The event, hosted by the Savinja-Šalek Regional Development Agency and the Energy Agency of Savinjska, Šaleska, and Koroška Region (KSSENA), provided invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities SMEs face in the journey toward decarbonization. With a focus on SME support ecosystems, participants addressed four critical areas: information and knowledge, innovation and technology, finance, and skills.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our hosts for their hospitality and to our project partners for their continuous collaboration. The seminar strengthened our shared commitment to supporting SMEs in their green transition, enhancing regional cooperation, and promoting sustainable entrepreneurship in Europe.
Stay tuned for more updates on our work with the COMMIT project, as we continue to contribute to a greener, more resilient future for SMEs in Western Macedonia and beyond.
About the COMMIT Project:
The COMMIT project aims to support local and regional authorities in developing an integrated SME support ecosystem for industrial transition, with a special focus on decarbonization. By sharing best practices, the project seeks to improve SME access to knowledge, innovation, finance, and skills, especially in coal-intensive regions.