Justification
There are 23 million SMEs in the EU, which comprises 99% of all enterprises, of which 96% employ less than 5 people. Combined they cause between 60%-70% of the EU?s industrial pollution. Environmental management systems are one way to help SMEs to reduce their environmental impact, become more aware and compliant with environmental legislation. However, SMEs are not aware of the relevant legislation, their impact, and the methods available to reduce it. We propose an easy, tailor-made made methodology for SMEs to implement environmental management systems in a fast and cost-effective way.
Location
Bulgaria (Sofia, Apriltsi, Devin)
Project Target Groups
At least 25 micro and small businesses (food sector, tourism, printing, NGOs) ? direct impact
SMEs in all sectors in Bulgaria ? indirect impact
Goal and expected impacts
The main goal of the project is to coach micro and small businesses to set up and implement environmental management systems. Thus the project will impact the development and dissemination of new technologies related to EE and RES, sustainable land management and POP prevention. Objectives and expected results
- To raise the awareness of 25 SMEs about the impacts they could have on the environment
- To build capacity of 30 staff among the participating SMEs to identify environmental aspects and implement measures related to the reduction of their environmental footprint
- To enable the participating SMEs to systematically approach their environmental performance
Expected results:
- At least 25 SME reprsentatives trained to identify environmental problems, and implement measures to solve them
- 5 consultants trained to implement EMS in clusters
- at least 10 pilot SMEs implement EE and RES measures
- at least 10 SMEs commit to EMAS certification
Major activities
Conducting 14 EMAS implementation workshops in two clusters of SMEs in Apriltsi and Devin.
Implementing specific EE and RES measures in pilot SMEs
Training of 5 consultants to work with future SMEs in clusters
Dissemination event
Partnership with GEF SGP proposals/projects
Project No. 138, Project No. 198
Sustainability
The approach we undertake with the pilot companies is designed to be cost-efficient, thus ensuring the attractiveness and applicability of environmental management systems for small and micro businesses. Moreover, staff of at least 25 companies will be trained in the course of the project, about how to maintain the environmental management systems with the least need for external assistance, thus minimizing the needs for human resources. % other consultants will be trained to be able to carry out similar work to that of the project experts in other parts of the country and with different companies. Finally, SMEs are being the target of a number of EU strategies (e.g. Sustainable Consumption and production Action Plan, Green Procurement, Environemntal Compliance and Assistance Programme). As such, the target group, and those in particular who successfully implement environmental management systems will directly contribute to these policies at the EU level.