SME EnterPRIZE 2026: Generali champions resilience as Europe’s SMEs navigate the sustainable transition

Generali hosted in Brussels the closing event of the fifth edition of SME EnterPRIZE - “Fostering Climate Resilience for European SMEs” - the Group’s flagship initiative to promote sustainability among European small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event also recognised excellence in action, celebrating the 11 “Sustainability Heroes” selected from over 8,500 SMEs across Europe, and unveiled the new 5-year anniversary edition of the White Paper developed in collaboration with SDA Bocconi – Sustainability Lab.

The event saw the attendance of Martin Hojsík, Vice-President of the European Parliament, as well as academic leaders and Generali’s senior leadership. The 2026 edition also hosted speeches from Jessika Roswall, EU Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, and from Stijn Vermoote, Head of Partnerships and Engagement Section at the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts.

Philippe Donnet, Generali Group CEO, said: “Five years on, SME EnterPRIZE reflects Generali’s long‑term conviction that small and medium‑sized enterprises are essential to Europe’s sustainable growth and economic resilience. At Generali, we are firmly committed to standing alongside SMEs as they navigate the impacts of climate change and the broader sustainability transition. In an increasingly uncertain global context, strengthening SME resilience is not only a necessity – it is a strategic priority for our economies and our societies. SME EnterPRIZE was created to foster dialogue and shared responsibility between businesses, policymakers and financial institutions because long‑term competitiveness can only be built together. This transformation will take time, but the direction is clear, and we remain determined to support the resilience and sustainability of SMEs as a collective investment in the prosperity and well-being of us all.”

Generali Group General Manager, Marco Sesana, said: “European SMEs are maintaining their commitment to sustainability, even in a challenging economic and regulatory environment. At the same time, the findings highlight where support is most needed – particularly in strengthening climate resilience and addressing the still‑significant protection gap as 59% of SMEs remain uninsured for extreme events. These insights confirm the importance of an integrated approach that combines awareness, financial solutions and risk protection. At Generali, we aim to act as true transition partners for SMEs, providing tailored advice, dedicated support, financing and insurance solutions to help them turn sustainability into a driver of resilience and long‑term competitiveness.”

A maturing sustainability landscape for European SMEs

This year’s edition of the White Paper, based on discussions with 1,100 SMEs from across Europe, confirms that sustainability has become a stable feature of the European SME landscape, with adoption holding firm at 41% despite economic and geopolitical volatility. It also highlights the areas that require targeted support, from information gaps to institutional obstacles.

The research reveals that the business case for sustainability has matured, with 68% of SMEs now viewing it as a competitive advantage – the fastest-rising payoff since 2022. Better insurance and credit conditions are also increasingly recognised as concrete benefits of sustainable business practices. For the first time since 2020, however, institutional barriers – rather than financial ones – emerge as the main constraint to adoption, with SMEs pointing to insufficient public incentives, lack of institutional support and the absence of a clear legislative framework.

A dedicated section of the White Paper focuses on climate resilience, showing that while awareness of climate risk continues to rise, a wide protection gap persists: 59% of SMEs remain uninsured for extreme events and 74% lack business interruption coverage.

The White Paper also calls on policymakers and financial institutions to engage with and empower European SMEs to accelerate their just sustainable transition, combining sustained financial incentives, regulatory simplification and capacity-building support.

The full White Paper, which includes deep dives on each country taking part in Generali’s SME EnterPRIZE initiative, can be downloaded here.

Celebrating the 2026 Sustainability Heroes

Generali’s fifth SME EnterPRIZE event celebrated the 11 “Sustainability Heroes”, selected from over 8,500 SMEs across Europe as true leaders in developing sustainable business models and coming from the European countries that have joined the initiative: Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain.

• MyAbility (Austria), a leading Austrian social enterprise dedicated to advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in business - both as employees and as customers.
• Monatex (Bulgaria), a producer of sustainable yarns and a trader of textile materials, specialising in transforming PET plastic bottles into filaments and fibers for use in fabrics, garments, and accessories.
• Linteo (Croatia), which produces high‑quality Fair‑Trade promotional textiles from recycled fabrics, employing local talent and marginalized groups to preserve regional textile traditions and revitalise the local economy.
• Tierra Verde (Czech Republic), which produces sustainable cleaning and cosmetic products guided by its “True Eco” philosophy, championing circular economy principles.
• Neocem (France), a low‑carbon cement producer that transforms excavated clay from construction sites into a sustainable alternative to traditional cement.
• Elschukom (Germany), specialised in high‑quality fine wire made from recycled materials for industries ranging from sensor and medical technology to high‑tech textile.
• Medencebag (Hungary), transforming discarded billboards and surplus industrial materials into handcrafted bags, applying creative design and skilled craftsmanship.
• Diemmebi (Italy), a design‑driven manufacturer recognised for its commitment to circularity and contemporary Italian craftsmanship.
• Get2C (Portugal), an e-consulting firm built on more than 20 years of experience in climate change, energy, carbon markets, climate finance, and sustainable development.
• Wild Green MAGIC Hub (Slovenia), an innovative concept within the Pohorje Village Wellbeing Resort in Slovenia, promoting eco-conscious experiences for businesses and travellers.
• Uraphex (Spain), that designs, manufactures, and installs its patented technology for chemical-free water regeneration in industrial processes and cooling towers.

In addition, one “Special Mention” was awarded recognising innovation on sustainability and industrial climate resilience:

• Procedes (Germany), leading company in large-format printing that is redefining the advertising and exhibition sector through a strong circular approach - leveraging recyclable textiles, reusable aluminum systems, and solvent-free production processes.

^{Photo Credit: Laurent Louis}