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MESS4GE - Increasing consultants’ capabilities to report on SME’s ESG status
FunderEuropean Commission
Funder Contribution €250,000.00
Funded underERASMUS+ | Partnerships for cooperation and exchanges of practices | Cooperation partnerships in vocational education and training
Project code2022-2-IE01-KA220-VET-000098541
Open Access mandatePublications: NoResearch data: No
Identifiers
Description
<< Background >>We applied for the MESS4GE project to address the growing need for accessible and effective ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting toolsand training, especially for SMEs.SMEs are increasingly expected to demonstrate their sustainability performance, but often lack the in-house expertise, time, and financial resources tomeet these new requirements. We identified a pressing need to empower SME consultants, trainers, and VET providers with the right tools andknowledge to bridge this gap. The project also responded to a lack of harmonised approaches across Europe for ESG performance reporting tailored tothe SME context. Our aim was to develop applied, user-friendly materials that promote ESG awareness, capacity building, and performancemeasurement.The results supported the VET priority of contributing to innovation in professional education, allowing training centres to adopt new methodologiesaligned with current societal and labour market needs.The international partnership bringing together academia, business, and training institutions from five countries also saw the opportunity to createawareness for ESG within SMEs.<< Objectives >>The main goal of MESS4GE was to increase the capabilities of consultants and VET trainers to support SMEs in ESG performance reporting.The consortium sought to develop a complete learning environment and support ecosystem to help SMEs navigate ESG challenges, using user centredlearning space, clear tools, hands-on activities, and digital solutions.Specifically, we aimed and accomplished to:(1) raise awareness about the value of ESG for SMEs, SME consultants, trainers and VET providers;(2) equip trainers and consultants with practical knowledge and materials on ESG, ESG reporting and activities and tools to deliver ESG training;(3) provide SMEs with a simple and effective ESG performance framework;(4) provide SMEs with a user centred self-assessment tool; and(5) foster transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals in ESG. We also wanted to ensure that the materials would beadaptable, easy to use, and available in multiple languages to maximise impact. By doing so, the project aimed to promote long-term sustainability andcompetitiveness for SMEs while also aligning with EU green transition goals.<< Implementation >>MESS4GE was structured around five work packages and implemented over two years. Key activities included:(1) a comprehensive analysis of six ESG reporting frameworks and national reporting landscapes in five countries;(2) development of a tailored Training Methodology with 12 activities structured in six modules (18 hours);(3) creation of an ESG Reporting Template for SMEs, including practical guidance and KPI definitions;(4) a three-day transnational training event in Milan to test the methodology with consultants and trainers;(5) design of a capacity-building curriculum with 14 units across five modules for ESG experts;(6) development of short video-based digital learning materials and scripts;(7) creation of an online ESG maturity assessment web tool for SMEs;(8) dissemination and communication activities including a plan, visual identity, project website, promotional materials, and evaluation;(9) impact analysis, exploitation and sustainability report (individual and as a project); and(10) quality assurance process, including plan, process and product assessment and report.All activities were guided by strong project and quality management to ensure efficiency, alignment and impact.<< Results >>MESS4GE delivered 5 core outputs - practical, easy to adopt, and designed for real-world application:1. An ESG Reporting Template tailored for SMEs, available in 4 languages and tested across 5 countries;2. A modular Training Methodology (18 hours, 6 modules), piloted in Milan with 16 trainers;3. A Capacity-Building Course with 14 units for consultants, delivered online and tested by 79 participants;4. A self-paced e-learning platform with video content and self-assessment tools, scoring 4.6/5 for usability;5. A web-based self-assessment tool piloted by 31 SMEs from 5 countries;The project raised awareness, built capacity, and improved ESG literacy in SMEs across Europe. The project's results also included:6. 28 reports following MESS4GE ESG reporting template (the reports follow the template);7. Four TPMs (44 participants);8. 5 MEs (174 participants ) helped promote results;9. A strong dissemination strategy including a website, toolkits, and ESG awareness campaigns supported the engagement of the target users;10. Exploitation is ensured. IDEC and ECOLE integrated training into their offers, while UoG and UNIC are using the results in academic teaching andresearch;11. Positive impact was confirmed by SME.
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<< Background >>We applied for the MESS4GE project to address the growing need for accessible and effective ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) reporting toolsand training, especially for SMEs.SMEs are increasingly expected to demonstrate their sustainability performance, but often lack the in-house expertise, time, and financial resources tomeet these new requirements. We identified a pressing need to empower SME consultants, trainers, and VET providers with the right tools andknowledge to bridge this gap. The project also responded to a lack of harmonised approaches across Europe for ESG performance reporting tailored tothe SME context. Our aim was to develop applied, user-friendly materials that promote ESG awareness, capacity building, and performancemeasurement.The results supported the VET priority of contributing to innovation in professional education, allowing training centres to adopt new methodologiesaligned with current societal and labour market needs.The international partnership bringing together academia, business, and training institutions from five countries also saw the opportunity to createawareness for ESG within SMEs.<< Objectives >>The main goal of MESS4GE was to increase the capabilities of consultants and VET trainers to support SMEs in ESG performance reporting.The consortium sought to develop a complete learning environment and support ecosystem to help SMEs navigate ESG challenges, using user centredlearning space, clear tools, hands-on activities, and digital solutions.Specifically, we aimed and accomplished to:(1) raise awareness about the value of ESG for SMEs, SME consultants, trainers and VET providers;(2) equip trainers and consultants with practical knowledge and materials on ESG, ESG reporting and activities and tools to deliver ESG training;(3) provide SMEs with a simple and effective ESG performance framework;(4) provide SMEs with a user centred self-assessment tool; and(5) foster transnational collaboration and knowledge exchange among professionals in ESG. We also wanted to ensure that the materials would beadaptable, easy to use, and available in multiple languages to maximise impact. By doing so, the project aimed to promote long-term sustainability andcompetitiveness for SMEs while also aligning with EU green transition goals.<< Implementation >>MESS4GE was structured around five work packages and implemented over two years. Key activities included:(1) a comprehensive analysis of six ESG reporting frameworks and national reporting landscapes in five countries;(2) development of a tailored Training Methodology with 12 activities structured in six modules (18 hours);(3) creation of an ESG Reporting Template for SMEs, including practical guidance and KPI definitions;(4) a three-day transnational training event in Milan to test the methodology with consultants and trainers;(5) design of a capacity-building curriculum with 14 units across five modules for ESG experts;(6) development of short video-based digital learning materials and scripts;(7) creation of an online ESG maturity assessment web tool for SMEs;(8) dissemination and communication activities including a plan, visual identity, project website, promotional materials, and evaluation;(9) impact analysis, exploitation and sustainability report (individual and as a project); and(10) quality assurance process, including plan, process and product assessment and report.All activities were guided by strong project and quality management to ensure efficiency, alignment and impact.<< Results >>MESS4GE delivered 5 core outputs - practical, easy to adopt, and designed for real-world application:1. An ESG Reporting Template tailored for SMEs, available in 4 languages and tested across 5 countries;2. A modular Training Methodology (18 hours, 6 modules), piloted in Milan with 16 trainers;3. A Capacity-Building Course with 14 units for consultants, delivered online and tested by 79 participants;4. A self-paced e-learning platform with video content and self-assessment tools, scoring 4.6/5 for usability;5. A web-based self-assessment tool piloted by 31 SMEs from 5 countries;The project raised awareness, built capacity, and improved ESG literacy in SMEs across Europe. The project's results also included:6. 28 reports following MESS4GE ESG reporting template (the reports follow the template);7. Four TPMs (44 participants);8. 5 MEs (174 participants ) helped promote results;9. A strong dissemination strategy including a website, toolkits, and ESG awareness campaigns supported the engagement of the target users;10. Exploitation is ensured. IDEC and ECOLE integrated training into their offers, while UoG and UNIC are using the results in academic teaching andresearch;11. Positive impact was confirmed by SME.
