What do Portuguese SMEs like Belcinto, Miranda Bike, ALGAplus, Promecel, Valérius and Neya, operating in such different sectors, have in common? They are companies from our real economy that have invested in sustainable development and that have seen this commitment recognised in the two previous editions of the European SME EnterPRIZE I Sustainability Award for SMEs, organised by Generali Tranquilidade and now entering its third edition.
According to a study conducted by the insurance company, in 2023, 49% of Portuguese SMEs planned or implemented a sustainability strategy. This percentage, slightly higher than the European average (44%), represents a decrease of three percentage points compared to 2020. These data clearly show the need to continue to encourage the creation of a sustainability culture in SMEs, which represent the largest business structure in Portugal.
From bicycles to algae
The Portuguese SMEs that won the first prize were Belcinto, with a project to end waste in the production of leather goods, such as ALGAplus, which produces seaweed for food, renewing the water of the Ria de Aveiro, or Promecel, which has radically improved the sustainability of its metalworking plant. The second prize was won by Miranda Bikes, with a project to produce bicycle components from recycled materials and using renewable energy. Honorable mentions went to Valerius, for a unique project to reuse waste and textile scraps, and to the Neya Porto Hotel, an establishment that stands out because its design was 100% committed to sustainability.
It is precisely these companies that the European SME EnterPRIZE l Sustainability Award aims to support SMEs on their path to environmental and social sustainability. A path that is not only responsible and sustainable, but also, according to the same Generali Group study, good for business: 76% of SMEs with a sustainability action plan report higher efficiency in energy and other resource consumption and have achieved clear cost savings. 68% say that their sustainability efforts have opened up new markets and, therefore, increased revenue.
Inspiring Stories
In this third edition of the Generali Tranquilidade Prize, in partnership with Correio da Manhã and Sábado, and with EY as “knowledge partner”, we will continue to encourage and highlight more inspiring stories about the real economy of our country, entrepreneurs who understand that investing in sustainable development brings profits to business. The applications will be assessed by a jury of independent individuals and renowned experts with proven experience in the field of sustainable development from the academic, business and associative worlds.
The winning company will receive insurance and services from Generali Tranquilidade for a total of 15,000 euros. The winner and the honorary awards will be broadcast and publicized in the media on the channels Correio da Manhã, Sábado and CMTV. This in addition to a promotional video, a diploma and a digital seal “PME Sustentável / Vencedor”. A new feature of this third initiative is that the leaders of the ten SMEs with the best ratings will participate in the VOICE Leadership Initiative – Training for SME Leadership Initiative from NOVA SBE.
What is valued in this award?
As mentioned, this edition’s competition is divided into two categories: social impact and environmental benefits. In the application form, an SME can answer questions on both categories according to the nominated project, and an SME can highlight good practice in one or both categories. It should be noted that companies can participate in multiple applications, depending on the environmental and social sustainability projects they are required to present. These projects must have a significant impact in areas such as business model; innovation and digital transformation; products, offerings and services; and people, such as diversity, equity and inclusion.
In the environmental part, the following factors are valued: economically sustainable activities; scalability and replicability; business models that combine competitiveness and respect for the environment; research and development of innovative technologies that help reduce energy consumption or CO2 emissions; transformation potential and the ability to bring innovation and change to the sector of activity; implementation of practices that restore biodiversity, ecosystems and natural resources.
In the social aspect, aspects such as promoting equality and inclusive growth; respect for human rights; and supporting sustainable lifestyles and community well-being will be valued. In relation to the company’s own employees, statements demonstrating the promotion of decent working conditions and new ways of working, the promotion of healthy lifestyles, physical and mental health, as well as equality and non-compliance with the requirements for workers’ rights will be valued with respect.
Outstanding SMEs announced in December
The names of the outstanding SMEs will be announced at a ceremony in Portugal in early December. The national winner will also take part in the European ceremony in Brussels in March 2025, representing Portugal in the Generali Group’s European initiative, together with the winners from the other nine participating countries. In the Belgian capital, it will be possible to contact several international relations managers at the European Parliament, who provide business opportunities for SMEs.
Interested companies can obtain more information and apply by October 13 here.
An authoritative jury determines the award
The jury of the award consists of independent individuals and renowned experts with proven experience in the field of sustainable development from academia, business and associations:
Alberto Castro
Economist and Professor at the Porto Business School, Catholic University of Portugal
Alexandra Azevedo
President of the National Council of Quercus
Gonzalo Salazar Leyte
Visiting Professor, Catholica Lisbon SBE
Isabel Kapeloa Gil
Rector of the Portuguese Catholic University
Joaquim Macedo de Souza
Executive Director HIESE – Business Innovation Environment in Strategic Sectors
Jorge Portugal
CEO of COTEC – Business Association of Innovations
Luis Veiga Martins
Associate Dean for Community Engagement and Sustainable Impact and Director of Sustainability at Nova School of Business and Economics
Louise Schmidt
Sociologist at the Institute of Social Sciences of the University of Lisbon, coordinator of Observa – Observatory of Environment, Territory and Society
Nuno Goncalves
Member of the Board of Directors of IAPMEI
Projects that have already won
In 2023:
Winner: Miranda and Irmao
With a history spanning 73 years, Miranda & Irmão has become a benchmark company in the production of eco-friendly components for the best bicycle brands in the world. Not only because of the use of recycled materials, but also because of the excellent environmental practices of the company itself.
Honorable Mention: Valerius
Founded in 1984, Valérius is a textile company that aims to solve the problem of textile waste, recycling and giving new life to what is not used in textile production, as well as clothing and other waste fabrics, preventing them from being destroyed, burned or thrown into landfills.
Honorable Mention: Porto Neya Hotel
Founded in 2020 and located in the Alfândega area of Porto, this hotel stands out for its eco-friendliness and for having been built from the ground up with sustainable development in mind.
In 2022:
Winner: Vasconcelos & Co.
A company in the leather goods sector, a family business founded in 1961 in São João da Madeira as part of the “Leather Goods by Belcinto” project, which put an end to the waste of raw materials.
Honorable Mention: ALGAPlus
Located in Ilhavo, it is a pioneering company in the field of integrated biological production of algae for food and other applications such as cosmetics, biomaterials and packaging. It is considered an example of the possibilities of combining the blue economy, linked to the sea, with the circular economy, obtaining a positive environmental effect.
Honorable Mention: Promesel
Located in the Braga area, it presented an application developed based on the design and construction of a new manufacturing plant, designed from scratch to ensure maximum sustainability of the metalworking activity.
Source: CM Jornal
I am Michael Melvin, an experienced news writer with a passion for uncovering stories and bringing them to the public. I have been working in the news industry for over five years now, and my work has been published on multiple websites. As an author at 24 News Reporters, I cover world section of current events stories that are both informative and captivating to read.