SeDiHUB's aim was to upskill micro&family enterprises to employ SD to develop sustainable and digitalized services and is structured into the objectives below: To raise awareness of micro&family (M&F) enterprises about SD so as to develop customer-oriented services in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way in the digitalized economy. To provide knowledge, skills, and competencies to micro&family enterprises required to develop customer-oriented services themselves To provide VET providers with a methodological approach to using new tools and online learning resources to teach SD when environmental issues and digitalization options have been taken into account. To create training material specifically for M&F enterprises, accompanied by the necessary guidelines and tools for developing services. To create an online learning platform to develop SD thinking among M&F enterprises. To create an M&F business hub where stakeholders can learn how to apply SD, matchmake and create joint services. To raise awareness among policymakers, and stakeholders involved in the business development ecosystem on SD thinking necessity as a crucial point of creating added value in the service, digital economy and sustainable development.
The service sector accounts for more than 70% of the EU output and jobs, so the future development of the economy and labour markets depends on it. Global consumption patterns are becoming sustainable and this already pressures businesses to consider the environmental impacts of their growth and adopt new sustainable business models. In light of this, service design thinking is becoming increasingly important in this rapidly growing service-based economy. The main problem why service design methodology is not used by family and micro-enterprises is the lack of knowledge and the fact that the involvement of an external service designer is generally costly. The lack of the use of service design strategies is a common characteristic of family and micro-enterprises in many European countries. Products and services are usually designed by managers or owners, or persons without training in service design. While new business models are being created, it is important for family and micro-enterprises to have the knowledge on how to adapt in this changing business environment while creating their services in a more environmentally friendly way.