Working Group on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

About the Working Group

The Working Group will address 2 main dimensions

• creating demand and facilitating access to finance for SME energy efficiency solutions to improve competitiveness.
• financing, de-risking and innovative business models for companies offering and implementing energy efficiency services and solutions.

Key tasks

• identify elements and pilot approaches to activate SMEs and trigger demand, including financing models and operational support.
• promote blended financing practices and public-private partnerships, dovetailing with EU programmes.
• engage Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) to provide services adapted to SME needs.
• improve access to finance for businesses offering energy efficiency services, standardise and de-risk projects and portfolios, and improve liquidity through innovative financing models.
• create favourable frameworks for ESCOs, explore new business models, and strengthen projects through data and data sharing.

Profile of participants

Coalition members and experts representing business, industry and ESCOs; Coalition members representing financial institutions; Coalition members representing EU countries. 

Way of working and expected engagement

Participation in four to five meetings over a period of 9-12 months (with 2-3 expected to be in-person), and review of draft deliverables, recommendations and reports (intermediate and final).