Improving policy instruments to increase the energy efficiency in industrial SMEs
The project´s core challenge is to increase energy efficiency in SMEs. The European Parliament set a binding target of increasing, by a minimum of 35%, the energy efficiency by 2030 compared to the 2005 level, in all Member States. Therefore, the project partners are sharing their good practices to find the best solutions to contribute to the achievement of the target set. Engaging in discussions and exchanging experiences with relevant actors is the best way to find solutions to increase the involvement of the industrial SMEs in energy efficiency improvement. Common barriers to overcome in the regions are the:

- the low interest of industrial SMEs participating in energy efficiency policy programmes,
- the low number of industrial SME energy efficiency policy programmes.

Therefore the project partner will a) improve the energy policies by exchanging and comparing the regional policy instruments in the eight regions, b) jointly develop regional policy action plans supporting the implementation of energy efficiency programmes and thus utilize the potential in the industrial SME sector c) exchange information and experience and by this help the stakeholders supporting the regional action plans set to overcome the barriers.

Therefore, our actions will:

- increase the interest of industrial SMEs in participating in the energy efficiency policy programmes,
- support starting-up effective industrial SME´ energy efficiency policy programmes,
- help integrate energy-related policy measures from other sectors in the industrial SME sector.

The exchange of experience, workshops and study visits with the stakeholders will help us achieve the project´s objectives. The jointly developed regional action plans will also influence the policies for the next Regional Operational Programme period 2021-2027.