The SustainX consortium successfully hosted its Onboarding Webinar for SMEs, bringing together more than 100 companies selected through the project’s open call. The session marked the official launch of the advisory and training journey that will support SMEs from Greece, Romania, Bulgaria, Latvia and the Canary Islands in advancing their sustainable and digital innovation capacities.
Introducing the SustainX Programme
During the webinar, the coordinating partner, Digital Innovation Zone, together with the consortium partners, introduced the purpose, structure and expectations of the SustainX programme.
Participants received a clear overview of the two-phase approach designed to help SMEs strengthen their innovation maturity, develop cross-regional value chains and prepare for future investment opportunities, including the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) funding instrument.
The partners also presented their roles and expertise in areas such as sustainability, digital transformation, business support, innovation management, matchmaking, capacity building and communication.
What to Expect in the Next Months
Selected SMEs were informed about the concrete steps that will follow:
Phase 1 Training Activities
A series of on-site and online trainings has already been scheduled across all regions. These sessions will cover:
- sustainability and green innovation,
- digital transformation,
- business model innovation,
- and other priority topics identified in SME applications.
Additionally, SMEs will participate in inter-regional webinars and peer-learning sessions, offering opportunities to connect with companies from other countries and discover best practices.
Preparation for Phase 2 – Investment Readiness
The webinar also outlined the framework of Phase 2, in which approximately 20 of the most innovation-ready SMEs will receive personalised advisory services.
Support will include:
- TRL assessment and roadmap development,
- project canvas preparation,
- cross-regional partner identification,
- matchmaking and consortia building,
- guidance on budgeting, IP, risk assessment and sustainability,
- and pre-proposal support for I3 or other European funding opportunities.
A Strong Start to a European Innovation Journey
The onboarding webinar set the foundation for a collaborative journey where SMEs and experts will work together to shape impactful, scalable and sustainable innovation projects with a European dimension.
The SustainX consortium looks forward to engaging with all selected companies and supporting them in unlocking new opportunities, strengthening their competitiveness and expanding their innovation potential across
