On November 5, the project “Novo Rumo a Norte — Rumo à Sustentabilidade” will be unveiled, aimed at “enhancing the competitiveness and adaptability to the challenges of sustainability and the green and digital transition” for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the north of the country, according to an official source from the association.
With a total budget of 924,627.28 euros, co-financed, and an expected duration until the second quarter of 2027, the project will cover 500 companies, providing them with “tools, knowledge, and capacity-building in strategic areas of business sustainability.”
The aim is to “address the existing gaps in the value chain and strengthen the regional business ecosystem by promoting the adoption of ESG (‘Environmental, Social and Governance’) best practices as a differentiation factor and long-term success.”
In statements, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of AEP explained that the project, “anticipating the increasing demands placed on SMEs,” focuses on awareness-raising, capacity-building, and dissemination of best practices, “helping companies interpret and develop the tools needed to meet new regulatory and market demands.”
“The challenge of sustainability — environment, social, and ‘governance’ — is addressed not only as an imperative but also as a strategy for innovation, value creation, and competitiveness,” emphasized Luís Miguel Ribeiro.
The “Novo Rumo a Norte — Rumo à Sustentabilidade” also addresses “the need to share information, provide capacity-building and develop suitable tools for all companies, regardless of their geographical location in the North region,” aimed at “correcting regional inequalities highlighted by the National Statistics Institute (INE), which point to the need to strengthen economic and social cohesion in the North region, especially in NUTS III.”
Focusing on promoting “equality of opportunity for all economic and social actors in each NUT III,” the project aligns with the Smart Specialization Strategy S3 NORTE 2027.
Led by AEP, the initiative leverages the experience and ‘know-how’ gained from previous projects, such as “Novo Rumo a Norte | Cooperação | Empreendedorismo | Inovação” and “Novo Rumo a Norte — Rumo ao Crescimento,” focusing on diagnostic tools, knowledge production, best practices dissemination, and fostering cooperation among companies, entities, and regional partners.
Through various planned actions, the project aims to “generate a positive and lasting impact on SME performance, promoting resource sharing, collaboration, and strengthening sustainable competitiveness, thereby contributing to balanced economic development in the North region.”
