The SustainX consortium is pleased to announce the upcoming launch of its open call for SME training, starting on September 1st. This initiative is part of a broader European effort to strengthen innovation capacity in less developed and outermost regions, with a particular focus on supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in their transition toward sustainable and digital business models.
SustainX is a strategic project funded under the I3 programme, designed to foster interregional collaboration and investment in shared smart specialisation areas. Through this Open Call, SustainX will invite forward-thinking SMEs from its partner regions — Nord-Est (Romania), Thessaly (Greece), Bulgaria, Canary Islands (Spain), and Latvia — to apply for a place in a tailored support pathway. Selected companies will gain access to expert-led training, personalised advisory, and curated matchmaking designed to prepare them for investment-ready innovation projects under the EU’s Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument. The training programme is tailored to SMEs operating in sectors aligned with regional S3 priorities, including digital transformation, sustainable innovation, green technologies, and Industry 4.0. Participating companies will benefit from targeted capacity-building activities, peer learning opportunities, and expert guidance to help them develop investment-ready innovation projects.
Selected companies will be invited to participate in a series of virtual and in-person training sessions, designed to address common challenges such as access to finance, innovation strategy, digitalisation, and sustainability. The programme also includes matchmaking events, investment pitch preparation, and access to a newly developed one-stop-shop support model for innovation investment.
The Open Call will run from September 1st to October 17th, 2025, with successful applicants joining the first phase of the programme in November.
To mark the launch, SustainX will host an online information event on September 10th at 13:00 CET. During this session, the team will present the details of the call and answer questions from interested SMEs.
“All information about the call, including eligibility criteria, application steps, and programme benefits, will be published on September 1st on the SustainX website,” the organisers announced.
Funded by the European Union, SustainX is a strategic initiative that strengthens innovation capacity in Europe’s regions by guiding SMEs through training, advisory services, and cross-border collaboration opportunities.
Mark the dates:
- September 1st, 2025 – Full call details available & applications open
- September 10th, 2025 (13:00 CET) – Online information event, REGISTER HERE: https://lu.ma/9b0une3m
- October 17th, 2025 – Application deadline
This is a unique opportunity for SMEs to engage with a European network of innovation actors, gain visibility across regions, and position themselves for future participation in EU-funded investment initiatives. The training is free of charge and supported by a consortium of experienced partners, including regional development agencies, universities, innovation hubs, and policy experts.
The call will remain open until October 17th eob. Interested SMEs can learn more and apply via the SustainX website: https://sustainx.digital-innovation.zone. Updates and further details will be shared regularly through our social media channels and newsletter.
We encourage all eligible SMEs to take advantage of this opportunity to strengthen their innovation capacity and contribute to a more resilient, sustainable, and digitally empowered European economy.
