The project EnvironmentYou focuses on the development and implementation of procedures related to the successful dissemination and effective implementation of environmental management systems (EMS) in enterprises. It was launched in June 2019 and will run for two years. It is funded by The Interreg V-A "Greece-Bulgaria 2014-2020" cross-border cooperation programme, co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the national funds of the countries participating in the programme.
Beneficiaries of the project are:
1. Greek National Youth Council (Greece)
2. Grad University - Plovdiv (Bulgaria)
3. Central Macedonia Regional Development Fund (Greece)
4. Youth Forum 21 Century Association (Bulgaria)
5. Euroregion Nestos-Mesta (Greece)
6. Regional Vocational Training Centre at CCI Blagoevgrad (Bulgaria)
7. Association for Regional Social and Economic Development (Bulgaria)
The target groups of the project are small and medium-sized enterprises run by young people in the cross-border area of Greece and Bulgaria, working in the fields of agriculture, environment, manufacturing and services.
All EnvironmentYou activities aim to build an environmentally friendly business culture and promote the philosophy of sustainable development among young professionals. The aim of the project is to initiate a transition of business from the "profit only" approach to the process of protection and enrichment of natural resources and the environment, as well as neutralization of the negative effects of climate change. This approach will ensure the preservation of the environmental capital of the cross-border region, while creating solid foundations for strong, but most importantly, sustainable economic growth. The overall objective is to cultivate an environmentally responsible business culture among young people in the cross-border region, focusing on businesses that work with soil and water resources and in particular those that are close to or fall within Natura 2000 protected areas.
The strategic objectives of the project are:
⋅ To help establish the principles of environmental quality among cross-border small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) managed by youth
⋅ To help integrate the principles of sustainable development and the protection of environmental capital into the cross-border production model
⋅ To promote and facilitate the exchange of good practices within the region and also in neighbouring regions
The specific objectives of the project are:
⋅ To promote SME compliance with European environmental legislation and to help unify the business management model on both sides of the border
⋅ To promote total quality management principles among youth-managed SMEs
⋅ To help build a culture of energy reduction among SMEs
⋅ To promote opportunities to reduce the use of natural resources
⋅ To contribute to progress in soil and water resources management
The project is implemented in 5 work packages:
1. Project management and coordination
2. Communication and information dissemination
3. Development and pilot implementation of an electronic-based Environmental Management System (e-EMS)
4. Preparation and organization of professional trainings
5. Preparation and organisation of networking activities
Indirect beneficiaries of the project EnvironmentYou are the following organisations, in addition to youth-run SMEs, which are expected to be positively impacted as a result of the implemented activities:
⋅ Consulting service providers
⋅ Local development agencies
⋅ Business organizations
⋅ Chambers of Commerce
⋅ Employment services
⋅ Adult learning policy organisations
⋅ Higher education institutions
⋅ Trade unions
⋅ Business incubators
⋅ Business accelerators
⋅ Social enterprises
