SME EnterPRIZE

SME EnterPRIZE is the initiative launched by Generali in 2021 on the occasion of the Group’s 190th anniversary to promote a culture of sustainability among European SMEs.
 

The SME EnterPRIZE project was created with the intention to:

• support SMEs in their sustainable transition, consistent with the European ambition to develop a greener and more inclusive economy;
• stimulate public debate on the importance of sustainability for SMEs, promoting further research on the subject;
• highlight significant examples of responsible business, recognising entrepreneurs that can become an inspirational model for others to follow.

SMEs collectively represent more than half of Europe’s GDP and 99% of companies in the EU, they are the bedrock of the European economy and are essential drivers of sustainable transition.

This year’s edition - the fourth one - celebrated the ten “Sustainability Heroes” drawn from over 8,900 small and medium-sized businesses which were selected from across Europe. The aim is that they can become an inspirational model for fellow entrepreneurs and be ambassadors of sustainability. The companies selected come from the ten European countries that have joined the initiative: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain.

The event was further recognised with the Patronage of the Polish presidency of the EU Council and saw the attendance of Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament, as well as academic leaders and Generali’s senior leadership. Furthermore, the 2025 edition included speeches from Raffaele Fitto, Vice-President of the EU Commission for Cohesion and Reforms, from Valdis Dombrovskis, EU Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, and from Marcos Neto, Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau of Policy and Programme Support.

Philippe Donnet, Generali Group CEO, said: “It has been four years since Generali launched SME EnterPRIZE, and amid global financial fluctuation, geopolitical tensions, and rapid technological change, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face significant daily challenges. Against this backdrop, we remained convinced of the benefits that the sustainable transition can offer to all these companies, and we maintain the greatest commitment to accompanying and supporting them on this journey. Moreover, one of the key goals of SME EnterPRIZE has always been to foster the debate with Europe’s policymakers and financial services professionals to ultimately build a regulatory framework that truly allows SMEs to embrace sustainability. This complex process will require time, but we see good alignment also with the priorities of the European Commission, and so I am confident that together we will advance towards a more competitive, resilient, and sustainable Europe.”

Generali Group General Manager, Marco Sesana said: “Our SME EnterPRIZE initiative underscores the importance of integrating sustainability considerations into the business activities of European small and medium-sized companies. The fourth White Paper by Generali and SDA Bocconi places a special focus on the need to foster the climate resilience of SMEs, and the timing could not be more pertinent as extreme weather events continue to increase in frequency and magnitude. At Generali we remain fully committed to supporting the just sustainable transition and doing our part to make this a reality with targeted support through financing, investments, as well as tailored advice and insurance solutions.”