The Emprendeverde Network has been selected by the European Commission in the category of “Best Practices”, within the framework of the Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme for SMEs for its objective is to promote the creation and consolidation of green companies as well as new lines of business linked to sustainable environmental activities.

The Emprendeverde Network has been selected by the European Commission in the category of “Best Practices”, within the framework of the Environmental Compliance Assistance Programme for SMEs for its objective is to promote the creation and consolidation of green companies as well as new lines of business linked to sustainable environmental activities.

The Network, open to investors, entrepreneurs and SMEs, is managed by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Environment and co-financed by the European Social Fund. It is the first platform in Spain specialized in supporting business activities based on aspects related to the environment and has been chosen as an example of good practice within the framework of the “Working Group on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises and Entrepreneurship (WPSMEE) – Green Entrepreneurship, Eco-Innovation and SMEs” of the International Energy Agency.

Currently, the network has more than 4,400 members, most of them entrepreneurs and SMEs. The Red emprendeverde regularly runs dissemination campaigns (including the distribution of a monthly newsletter) and helps to establish contacts with potential investors. Advice and training to support entrepreneurs in the development of their business plans incorporates new lines related to ecological skills and sustainability and promotes compliance with environmental regulations by providing specific information on eco-innovation, investment and potential sources of financing.

Among the different actions carried out within the Emprendeverde Network, the “On-line Platform 2.0 for the Green Business Network”, a social network created to promote networking and to share best practices, and the Red emprendeverde Awards, which offer special recognition and additional support for dissemination and marketing to all entrepreneurs who have achieved an efficient energy balance by reducing gas emissions greenhouse gas or incorporating new sustainable business lines.