News

In Leskovac from November 19 to 21, 2024, a three-day "Train the Trainers" training was held for 10 participants, representatives of business support organizations, during which trainers from the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts and the Chamber of Crafts Skopje improved their competencies and knowledge related to greening SMEs.

Event objectives:

1. Improving the competencies of trainers from business support organizations (BSOs) for conducting training on business greening for SMEs;
2. Sharing learned lessons and experiences from conducted training on green business in Serbia;
3. Collaborative learning through trainer/participant work (Learning-by-doing) on developing programs and tools for business greening.

The results of this training led to improved training competencies of BSO educators in the field of business greening.

The implementation of this activity enabled the achievement of the following project results:

• 1 conducted international training for trainers on business greening (5 trainers from BSOs);
• 1 Business Greening - Developed Trainer's Manual for BSOs;
• 1 Developed brochure with best practice examples in Europe.

Show less

To increase resource efficiency and achieve green transition in Serbia and North Macedonia, it is necessary to acquire green skills and apply tools for business greening (e.g., self-assessment checklists), cooperation, and transfer of best green practices. In this process, business support organizations (BSOs) are an important link in directing SMEs towards adopting green business practices. They need to provide necessary information and training for greening SMEs' business in Serbia and North Macedonia.

The Green Path - Partnership for Green Business project within the ERASMUS+ program aims to support the development of green skills among SMEs and business support organizations (BSOs) from Serbia and North Macedonia. This project is a joint initiative of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts from Serbia and the Chamber of Crafts from Skopje, North Macedonia.

The general objective of the project is to support the development of green skills among SMEs and BSOs from Serbia and North Macedonia through transnational partnership, exchange, sharing of educational resources, and cooperation in the field of joint development and testing of practical methods and training for business greening.

The project implementation enables learning paths and application of simple and practical solutions for business greening. These paths are mapped through three specific objectives:

1. equip trainers/educators from BSOs with new competencies (skills, knowledge, attitudes) and tools for business greening;
2. develop and test adapted training methodology, training plans and programs, and training modules for business greening;
3. stimulate green transition of small and medium enterprises and socio-economic partners through exchange of best practices and experiences in business greening.

The mentioned specific objectives are closely implemented in cooperation with the project's target groups. The main target groups of the project are 20 BSOs (10 from Serbia and 10 from North Macedonia); 2 project partners; 60 SMEs, entrepreneurs, and craftsmen from Serbia and North Macedonia operating in the manufacturing sector (food industry, wood processing, metal, chemical products, textile production, clothing, leather processing, and footwear production) and 30 socio-economic partners (national, regional, and local authorities, business service providers, educational and research institutions, etc.). The planned project implementation period is 18 months.

From the BSOs' perspective, implementing training for greening SMEs' business is very challenging. To respond to this challenge, trainers from BSOs must be equipped with new competencies (skills, knowledge, attitudes) and tools for business greening. Business Greening - Trainer's Manual for Business Support Organizations (hereinafter: Manual) is part of the training material for enabling trainers to independently implement training in the field of business greening.

This manual contains an overview of techniques and methods applied during training implementation. The order of this manual follows the phases of the training cycle and includes training needs assessment, training design and development, training delivery, and training evaluation. The manual is primarily intended for BSOs but can be used by all organizations or institutions interested in green transition.

Show less

The Green Path - Partnership for Green Business project within the ERASMUS+ program aims to support the development of green skills among SMEs and business support organizations (BSOs) from Serbia and North Macedonia. This project is a joint initiative of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts from Serbia and the Chamber of Crafts from Skopje, North Macedonia.

The publication/brochure "Green Europe - Best Practice Examples for Business Greening" is, on one hand, a tool and part of the training material for enabling trainers to independently conduct training in the field of business greening. On the other hand, this publication serves as a source of successful approaches for integrating green practices into business operations of economic entities.

Its main objective is to inspire and provide practical guidance for economic entities in Serbia and North Macedonia as they move along the path of business greening. This brochure represents a collection of positive examples of business greening that economic entities/companies in Europe have implemented in their business operations.

The publication/brochure is intended for BSOs and SMEs, but can be used by all organizations or institutions interested in green transition.

Show less

Following extensive research work, a document has been developed that aims to enable BSOs from Serbia and North Macedonia to improve the services and training they offer to small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. It also enables SMEs to acquire basic information about business greening in Serbia and North Macedonia and gain insight into the planned training structure that will be available to them.

On the other hand, it provides decision-makers in institutions and government bodies at local, regional, and national levels with a picture of the main drivers and obstacles on the path to greening SMEs' business. This picture is extremely important for planning support measures for business greening at local, regional, and national levels.

The analysis of missing skills and training needs represents a key component in the development and implementation of training programs for business greening. The objective of the analysis of missing skills and training needs of business support organizations and small and medium enterprises is to identify training needs and subsequent analysis of skill gaps that will be compensated through training.

By applying various research methods and techniques, an objective review of the needs of target groups in the field of business greening has been enabled. The subject of the research is the assessment of existing capacities and training needs in the mentioned field. This research covers BSOs from Serbia and SMEs from Serbia operating in the manufacturing sector (food industry, wood processing, metal, chemical products, textile production, clothing, leather processing, and footwear production). Within SMEs, entrepreneurial and craft workshops are also included.

The research was conducted from June to August 2024. The findings from the research laid the foundation for formulating recommendations and training modules in the field of business greening. The methodological framework covers the standards of the research phase and includes research preparation, research implementation, as well as consolidation and evaluation of research findings.

Show less

From October 1 to November 15, 2024, within the project "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business," training sessions on business greening were held. The training sessions were organized in parallel in Serbia and North Macedonia, with participation from representatives of small and medium enterprises and business support organizations from both countries.

The training sessions were conducted according to developed training programs, which were based on the results of training needs research. The following topics were covered in the training sessions:

• Leadership in business greening
• Green skills and competencies
• Green practices in business
• Green innovations and technologies
• Green finance and investments
• Green certificates and standards
• Green marketing and communication

The training sessions were conducted in an interactive format, combining lectures, exercises, case studies, and group discussions. Participants had the opportunity to share their experiences and learn from the experiences of other participants.

The training sessions were successfully implemented and contributed to the development of green skills and competencies among participants, as well as to the promotion of green practices in business.

Show less

Before the workshops, the draft of this document was sent to all research participants who left their contact email. For the needs of workshop implementation, material was prepared for participants (research summary). Also, a set of questions was designed and topics for discussion were determined, namely:

1. project goals and objectives
2. research results
3. training needs assessment
4. training structure and content
5. next project activities and training implementation plan

The focus groups were formed from participants belonging to the same target groups.

The first workshop of the focus group for 10 representatives of SMEs from North Macedonia was held on August 28, 2024, in Skopje. At this workshop, representatives of SMEs from North Macedonia became familiar with the research results, validated the findings from the training needs assessment, and participatively defined the topics and content of the training curriculum and program for business greening.

The second workshop for 10 representatives of BSOs was organized on September 6, 2024, in Skopje. The objective of this workshop was to present and discuss the research findings as well as to participatively determine the priorities of BSOs for offering services to SMEs in the field of business greening. These priorities relate to the needs for building BSO capacities for offering services for business greening to SMEs.

The main working methods in the focus groups were purpose-oriented discussion and mapping of topics and content of training for business greening. The purpose-oriented discussion was led according to previously presented topics. In this way, focus group participants were encouraged through dialogue and exchange of arguments with other participants to express their views on the planned training.

The collected feedback and results from the assessment of participants' needs were incorporated into the final version of the document "Business Greening - Analysis of Missing Skills and Training Needs for Business Support Organizations and Small and Medium Enterprises in Serbia."

Show less

Micro, small, and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and craft workshops (SMEs) play a central role in green transition. Enterprises committed to green transition take measures such as providing green products and services and/or implementing measures to increase resource efficiency and adopt green business practices. Almost all enterprises, especially those in the manufacturing industry, have potential to improve resource use efficiency while reducing costs and increasing profits.

By adopting green business practices, enterprises can make significant savings and ultimately improve their competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets. The Green Path - Partnership for Green Business project within the ERASMUS+ program aims to support the development of green skills among small and medium enterprises and business support organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia. This project is co-financed by the European Union.

The Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts from Leskovac and the Chamber of Crafts from Skopje conducted research aimed at evaluating existing capacities and identifying missing skills and training needs of SMEs for business greening. The research was conducted in parallel in Serbia and North Macedonia in the form of interviews. The research aims to gather information about existing competencies and identify missing knowledge and skills in the field of business greening of SMEs.

The results of this research represent the basis for developing an adapted training program for business greening and adopting green business practices of small and medium enterprises and support organizations. The research was conducted electronically, and respondents were representatives of support organizations and small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and craftsmen from the entire territory of Serbia and North Macedonia.

Data collected during this research will be processed exclusively at the group level and in accordance with privacy policy according to Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 and national legislation in the field of personal data protection. Respondents who completed the questionnaire and left their contact information will be informed about project events such as training and information events in the continuation of the project, and they will have the opportunity to receive project information-educational material.

Show less

A two-day initial partner meeting/transnational meetings #1 was held in Leskovac, Serbia, in the premises of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts, with partners of the Green Path - Partnership for Green Business project.

The objective of this event was to formalize cooperation, present and adopt project management documents and tools. In a working and friendly atmosphere, project partners, the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts and the Chamber of Crafts Skopje formalized cooperation on the Green Path - Partnership for Green Business project by signing the Partnership Agreement.

The Project Management Board was formed and operational documents were adopted for smooth project implementation. Members of the management board expressed great satisfaction with the work of project team members, the partner atmosphere prevailing among project team members, and announced their continued support for efficient project implementation and achievement of quality project results.

Show less

The general objective is to support the development of green skills in SMEs and business service providers through transnational partnership, exchange, sharing of educational resources, and cooperation.

Specific objectives:

1. equip business service providers with new competencies and tools for business greening.
2. development and testing of adapted training methodology and training plans and programs for business greening.
3. to stimulate green transition of small and medium enterprises and socio-economic partners through exchange of best practices and experiences in business greening.

Activities:

• A1 Project Management and Quality Assurance
• A2 Project Management Board Monitoring Sessions
• A3 Training Needs and Skills Gaps Analysis
• A4 Green Business - Train the Trainers
• A5 Development of Learning Tools for Business Greening
• A6 Building Capacities for Green Skills in 60 SMEs
• A7 Dissemination and Visibility Activities

Results:

1. Improvement of educators' competencies in the field of business greening;
2. Increased practical green skills of owners/managers and employees in SMEs;
3. Best green practices in business greening promoted and distributed among project countries.

Show less

Within the ERASMUS+ program, action KA210-ADU, Small Partnerships in Adult Education, the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts and the Chamber of Crafts Skopje are implementing the Green Wave - Partnership for Business Greening project.

The project's objective is to provide support for the development of green skills among small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. Within the project, the knowledge and skills of service providers for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs will be improved, a methodology of a program for business greening intended for small and medium enterprises will be prepared and tested, and green transition of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and socio-economic partners will be stimulated through exchange of best practices and experiences in business greening.

We expect that the project will result in improved competencies of service providers for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, increased practical green skills of owners/managers and employees in small and medium enterprises, and that best green practices in business greening will be promoted and distributed to all interested parties in Serbia and North Macedonia.

The project started implementation on April 1, 2024, and project partners organized the first consultative working session on April 2, 2024, in Leskovac in the premises of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts. At the meeting, among others, project team members were appointed and the work plan for the first quarter of project implementation was defined. The project duration is 18 months, and the project value is 60,000 EUR.

Show less

Within the project "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business," an international workshop for experience exchange was held on October 15, 2024, in Leskovac. The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as representatives of business support organizations and small and medium enterprises from both countries.

The objective of the workshop was to exchange experiences and best practices in the field of business greening among partner organizations and other participants. The workshop presented results from research on training needs, as well as proposals for developing programs for business greening.

Participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for business greening in their countries, as well as to share experiences from implementing green practices in their organizations and enterprises.

The workshop was successfully implemented and contributed to strengthening cooperation among partner organizations and other participants, as well as to developing new ideas and approaches for business greening.

Show less

A workshop for project evaluation was held on November 25, 2024, in Leskovac for the "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business" project. The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia.

The objective of the workshop was to evaluate the project results and identify opportunities for its continuation and expansion. The workshop presented the project results, including:

• Analysis of missing skills and training needs
• Developed training programs for business greening
• Trainer's manual
• Brochure with best practice examples
• Results from testing training programs

Participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for business greening in their countries, as well as to share experiences from implementing green practices in their organizations and enterprises.

The workshop was successfully implemented and contributed to evaluating project results and developing new ideas and approaches for business greening.

Show less

A workshop for project promotion was held on November 30, 2024, in Skopje for the "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business" project. The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia, as well as representatives of business support organizations and small and medium enterprises from both countries.

The objective of the workshop was to promote project results and exchange experiences and best practices in the field of business greening. The workshop presented the project results, including:

• Analysis of missing skills and training needs
• Developed training programs for business greening
• Trainer's manual
• Brochure with best practice examples
• Results from testing training programs

Participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for business greening in their countries, as well as to share experiences from implementing green practices in their organizations and enterprises.

The workshop was successfully implemented and contributed to promoting project results and developing new ideas and approaches for business greening.

Show less

A workshop for development of new projects was held on December 20, 2024, in Skopje within the project "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business." The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia. At the meeting, among others, project team members were appointed and the work plan for the first quarter of project implementation was defined. The project duration is 18 months, and the project value is 60,000 EUR.

The objective of the workshop was to develop new projects for business greening, based on the results of the "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business" project. The workshop presented project results, including:

• Analysis of missing skills and training needs
• Developed training programs for business greening
• Trainer's manual
• Brochure with best practice examples
• Results from testing training programs

Participants had the opportunity to discuss challenges and opportunities for business greening in their countries, as well as to share experiences from implementing green practices in their organizations and enterprises.

The workshop was successfully implemented and contributed to developing new projects for business greening and developing new ideas and approaches for business greening.

Show less

A workshop for development of new projects was held on December 15, 2024, in Leskovac within the project "Green Path - Partnership for Green Business." The workshop was attended by representatives of partner organizations from Serbia and North Macedonia. At the meeting, among others, project team members were appointed and the work plan for the first quarter of project implementation was defined. The project duration is 18 months, and the project value is 60,000 EUR.

The project's objective is to provide support for the development of green skills among small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs. Within the project, the knowledge and skills of service providers for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs will be improved, a methodology of a program for business greening intended for small and medium enterprises will be prepared and tested, and green transition of small and medium enterprises, entrepreneurs, and socio-economic partners will be stimulated through exchange of best practices and experiences in business greening.

We expect that the project will result in improved competencies of service providers for small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, increased practical green skills of owners/managers and employees in small and medium enterprises, and that best green practices in business greening will be promoted and distributed to all interested parties in Serbia and North Macedonia.

The project started implementation on April 1, 2024, and project partners organized the first consultative working session on April 2, 2024, in Leskovac in the premises of the Center for Development of Jablanica and Pcinja Districts. At the meeting, among others, project team members were appointed and the work plan for the first quarter of project implementation was defined. The project duration is 18 months, and the project value is 60,000 EUR.

Show less