The ESG training programme for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), organised as part of the DESET project, concluded with an online training session held on 8 October. The programme began on 9 September with an in-person training session in Prijedor, attended by 15 participants, and continued with two online sessions held on 30 September and 8 October, with a total of 27 participants.

Across the three sessions, a total of 42 participants had the opportunity to gain practical knowledge of ESG principles and their application in SME business operations.

During the training sessions, participants were introduced to the ESG landscape, relevant European regulations, and their implications for SMEs in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Particular emphasis was placed on assessing existing environmental, social and governance practices within companies, as well as identifying concrete opportunities for improvement. Through practical exercises, participants also worked on developing a basic ESG action plan, defining priority measures, implementation timelines and responsibilities for integrating these measures into their business operations.

Such knowledge is becoming increasingly important for SMEs, particularly for companies operating in international markets and working with larger customers and business partners. A better understanding of ESG requirements helps companies prepare for market expectations, manage risks and strengthen their competitiveness.

The training sessions were organised as part of the DESET project – Digitally Enabled Sustainable Energy Transition of Manufacturing SMEs, implemented with the support of the European Union and the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany (BMZ), within the framework of the EU Initiative for Private Sector Development.

The DESET project is implemented by DIH IDEMO, which brings together Eda – Enterprise Development Agency as the lead partner, along with its partners: the Faculty of Electrical Engineering in Banja Luka, the Chamber of Commerce of the Republika Srpska, the Innovation Centre Banja Luka and the Development Agency of the Republika Srpska.