The Erasmus+ project AI4GreenSME has officially reached its conclusion after two years of value-adding innovation, but its results are here to stay for use by Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) all over Europe. The project set out to equip SMEs with the skills and tools needed to combine Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Circular Economy (CE) principles, supporting their green and AI-empowered digital transition.

Key Achievements:

  • AI4GreenSME Competences: The consortium created the desired profile that SME managers should possess in terms of knowledge, skills, and competencies, to facilitate the AI and green transition process and embrace a more circular model within their organisation. In this context, key competences were described and led to the development of the training course.
  • High-performing Training Platform: A training platform was created to help SME managers build the necessary skills. Over 50 SME users tested the platform during the pilot phase, assessing its effectiveness with a 4.3/5. More than 90% of participants confirmed that the course content will directly help them operate more sustainably with AI. The training course is freely available in 4 languages at https://www.ai4greensme-course.eu/en/ 
  • Practical Value & Usability: Users praised the logical structure, clarity, and solid content of the course. Suggested refinements, such as smoother navigation, additional AI demonstrations, and more case studies, are already planned for integration in the next platform release.
  • Collaborative Activities: Ten interactive sessions brought together SMEs from across Europe, in which SME executives shared their experiences on topics such as AI literacy, data for the circular economy, product design, ethical implications of AI, and business models. Satisfaction was very high, with organisational quality rated 4.18-4.76/5 and two-thirds of participants reporting a significant increase in their knowledge in the field.
  • Micro-credentials & Certification: A robust system of badges and a final Europass-compatible certificate was introduced, ensuring that SME managers can gain verifiable skills recognition aligned with European frameworks.
  • Creation of the AI4GreenSME Network: Beyond training, the project laid the foundations for a European community of practice. This network will allow SMEs, chambers of commerce, VET providers, and innovation hubs to exchange experiences, share resources (openly licensed under CC BY 4.0), and continue the learning journey beyond the project’s lifetime. What is more, best practices on how AI and the circular economy can create synergies are being collected from European SMEs, and will be gradually showcased on the project’s website for inspiration and igniting collaboration potential.

A Lasting Impact

The pilot results confirm that AI4GreenSME exceeded expectations: participants reported high satisfaction, practical applicability, and a clear link between the training and workplace needs. With its open access resources, validated methodology, and long-term roadmap (2025–2027), the project leaves a scalable, impactful legacy for SMEs across Europe.

As SMEs increasingly face the twin challenges of digitalisation and sustainability, AI4GreenSME demonstrates that accessible training, peer collaboration, and recognition through micro-credentials can empower small businesses to lead the green transition.

About the Project

AI4GreenSME (2023–2025) was co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union and implemented by a consortium of Chambers of Commerce, VET providers, NGOs, and technology partners from Spain, Bulgaria, Malta, Greece, and Cyprus.

For more information, resources, and access to the training platform, please visit: www.ai4greensme.eu