The main objective of the project was to introduce the ESG topic to both Projekt Tarnów and AUTPOST staff and to improve the professional competences of SME sector, sole traders, management staff, auditors, accountants, PR staff via Vocational Educational Training (VET). The project directly implemented the priority regarding the environment and combating climate change as an element of building knowledge, skills, and attitudes in the field of climate and ESG development in the EU, supporting SMEs.
The implementation of the project coincided with legal changes imposing new obligations on enterprises. The project focused on several aspects. THE MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT were: introducing the ESG topic with an emphasis on Governance (G) for the SME sector and business owners; building professional competencies of Projekt Tarnów and AUTPOST, ESG management staff and non-financial reporting obligations in accordance with the new regulations and the CSRD directive; creating new tools, resources, materials, and a competency catalog "ESG Guide" - workshops and tools for SMEs and sole proprietors. The project addressed educational needs related to legal changes. Between 2017-2021, non-financial reporting became a requirement for many entities. The CSRD (Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive) covered about 6,000 companies in the EU, including 300 entities in Poland. It will now cover more. From 2023, the CSRD requires the introduction of ESG reporting in public and private companies employing over 250 people.