SME EnterPRIZE is a flagship project launched by Generali and dedicated to European small and medium-sized enterprises with the goal of promoting sustainable business models and stimulating the European public debate on sustainability.

A high level Scientific Committee consisting of institutional, academic and corporate representatives has selected 7 SMEs from Italy, France, Germany, Spain, Austria, Hungary and Czech Republic that have implemented notable sustainability initiatives in their business activity. This year's Sustainability Heroes have been selected in the categories of welfare (improving the well-being of employees and their families), environment (reducing resource consumption, introducing recycling and recovery of raw materials processes), and community (positive impact on the territories they operate in and on their communities of reference).

During the SME EnterPRIZE event, which will take place in Brussels on 28 September 2021 in the presence of the most prominent members of the European Institutions, Generali will present the first edition of a White Paper developed with Bocconi University, dedicated to studying the integration of sustainability principles in European SMEs, and will award the 7 Sustainability Heroes.

The event will take place in a hybrid form, both virtually and physically, and it will include two panel debates followed by an award ceremony with the Ambassadors from the 7 Member States. Leading representatives of the European arena will take part in the event, including European Commissioner for Economy Paolo Gentiloni, Chair of ITRE Committee Cristian Bușoi, Director General of DG CLIMA Mauro Petriccione, Chair of STOA Eva Kaili and Director General of BusinessEurope Markus J. Beyrer.

Agenda

1. Opening by Philippe Donnet, Generali Group CEO
2. Introductory remarks by Mairead McGuinness, Commissioner for financial services, financial stability and Capital Markets Union (on video)
3. Presentation of the White Paper by Bocconi University
4. First panel discussion "Promoting sustainability in European SMEs" - Markus J. Beyrer (Director General of BusinessEurope), Raffaele Mauro Petriccione (Director General of DG CLIMA) and MEP Eva Kaili (Chair of STOA).
5. Second panel discussion "A new industrial strategy in favour of SMEs and sustainable growth" - MEP Cristian-Silviu Bușoi (Chair of ITRE Committee), Bianca Dragomir (CEO of AVAESEN), Joaquim Nunes de Almeida (Director in DG GROW).
6. Award ceremony with the Ambassadors from the 7 Member States and Generali’s CEO Philippe Donnet.
7. Closing speech by Paolo Gentiloni, European Commissioner for Economy
8. Closing remarks by Gabriele Galateri di Genola, Chairman of Assicurazioni Generali