ETN and Rogaland County Council receive EU funding to strengthen SMEs in the energy transition

Energy Transition Norway has successfully secured funding from the European Union's INTERREG Europe program. As part of a consortium comprising eight other European partners, ETN will embark on its involvement in the COMMIT (Low-Carbon SME Development and Transition) project in the first quarter of 2024.

ETN will receive 1.3 million Norwegian kroner from the EU for its contribution to the project, which addresses the challenge that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face in leveraging opportunities in the low-carbon economy.

In Rogaland, SMEs constitute approximately 54% of the total workforce and contribute around 27% to the region's total value creation.

The COMMIT project, spanning a duration of three years, aims to support local and regional authorities in developing a support system for industrial transition. Rogaland County Council is a partner in the project and anticipates improved capabilities to support SMEs in energy transition.

Mette Fossum, head of business development at the County Council expresses her eagerness to gain insights into the challenges SMEs encounter in energy transition through COMMIT project activities:

-The County Council envision learning more about SMEs challenges through participation in workshops and reference groups. Our overarching goal is to support SMEs and incorporate their needs into the development of regional strategies and support mechanisms, enabling them to acquire resilience similar to that of larger actors. Through the other project partners from Bulgaria, the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Slovenia, and Denmark, we hope to facilitate knowledge transfer across countries to learn from each other's experiences. We look forward to collaborating with ETN on this important project.

In conclusion, Energy Transition Norway's involvement in the COMMIT project signifies a significant step toward fostering sustainable industrial development and supporting SMEs in navigating the complexities of the low-carbon economy.

Through collaboration and knowledge-sharing, stakeholders aim to develop tailored solutions that empower SMEs to thrive in the rapidly evolving energy landscape.