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Launch of the "Energy-efficient SMEs" project

 

The National Council of SMEs in Romania (CNIPMMR) in partnership with SME Norway, a corresponding structure of CNIPMMR that aims to support and develop SMEs in Norway, is implementing the "Energy-efficient SMEs" project from June 1 to December 31, 2023.

The main objectives of the project are to increase awareness about the importance of energy efficiency and renewable energy by informing a considerable number of individuals and SME representatives, to increase knowledge about legislation and programs for SMEs in the energy sector, and to identify tools for calculating energy consumption and ways to minimize it within an SME.

Based on the importance of this project, its activities focus on the following 6 main activities:

1. Conducting an awareness campaign on renewable energy, energy efficiency, and its importance that will reach 300 people
2. Organizing 3 conferences to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency for SMEs where 90 people will participate
3. Creating an analysis/guide "How to become an energy-efficient SME" that will reach 200 SMEs and will include the steps an SME needs to take to become energy efficient, legislation to follow, energy-dedicated programs, and energy consumption awareness
4. Participating in a study visit to Norway to identify how energy efficiency is implemented in Norwegian SMEs
5. Organizing training sessions on renewable energy and energy efficiency for 100 people over 3 days
6. Creating a platform/application to calculate the energy consumption of an SME and, based on this, to indicate what needs to be done to achieve a minimum energy efficiency threshold that will be accessed by 30 SMEs

"Energy-efficient SMEs" benefits from a grant of 190,508 euros from Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway through the EEA and Norway Grants. It is funded with the support of grants provided through the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021, within the "Energy Program in Romania".

## Background Information

The EEA and Norway Grants represent the contribution of Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway towards a green, competitive, and inclusive Europe. There are two general objectives: reducing economic and social disparities in Europe and strengthening bilateral relations between the donor countries and 15 EU countries in Central and Southern Europe and the Baltic States.

The three donor countries cooperate closely with the EU through the European Economic Area (EEA) Agreement. The donors have provided 3.3 billion euros through consecutive grant schemes between 1994 and 2014. For the 2014-2021 period, the EEA and Norway Grants amount to 2.8 billion EUR.

**Priorities for this period are:**

1. Innovation, research, education, and competitiveness
2. Social inclusion, youth employment, and poverty reduction
3. Environment, energy, climate change, and low-carbon economy
4. Culture, civil society, good governance, and fundamental rights
5. Justice and home affairs

Eligibility for Grants reflects the criteria established for the EU Cohesion Fund for member countries where the gross national income (GNI) per capita is less than 90% of the EU average.

The EEA and Norway Grants scheme consists of two financial mechanisms. The EEA Grants are jointly funded by Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway, whose contributions are based on their GDP. Norway Grants are funded exclusively by Norway.

EEA Grants: www.eeagrants.org
Norway Grants: www.norwaygrants.org