Through the implementation of Shift2Green, we sought to support SMEs in becoming active contributors to the green transition by equipping their leaders and staff with the knowledge, skills and motivation needed to drive sustainable change. Our aim was to raise environmental and climate awareness in the workplace and inspire the search for innovative, value-adding solutions. Project specific objectives were to: 1. build environmental and climate-change awareness to encourage SME leaders and staff to actively look for innovative solutions that will lead to green transformation bringing value to their organisations and their business environment at the same time. 2. develop SME leaders and staff competencies (with innovative tools & practical processes) that will allow them to start changes and become true agents of environmental change in their organisations. 3. develop VET educators sustainability competencies and equip them with ready-made curricula, best practice examples & tools to support the adaptation of their training offers to SME leaders & staff needs to develop the skills and habits needed in the area of green skills development.
We initiated the Shift2Green project in response to the pressing need for accessible and engaging solutions that support SMEs in their transition towards sustainable practices. Despite representing 99.8% of EU enterprises and contributing significantly to environmental impact, SMEs often lack the resources, knowledge, and motivation to implement meaningful green changes. Project partners, themselves embedded in the SME and VET sectors, observed a gap in digital solutions tailored to workplace behaviours—tools that connect individual habits to broader organisational transformation. Existing approaches, often designed for large corporations, overlook the unique constraints and potential of smaller enterprises. As organisations either comprising SMEs or educating their leaders and staff, we also recognised the imperative to engage personnel more deeply in developing pro-ecological behaviours. Shift2Green was designed to address this by developing practical, gamified learning tools that empower employees, boost motivation, and help SMEs unlock the wider business benefits of eco-innovation—ranging from cost savings and staff engagement to improved competitiveness and public image.