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GreenBoost4WISEs Newsletter No. 2!

Mar 4, 2025 | Europe, GreenBoost4WISE's, News, Support

From ENSIE: www.ensie.org

GreenBoost4WISEs – What’s all about?

GreenBoost4WISEs is a EU-funded project that aims at enabling WISEs to take one step further towards greener businesses and processes, thanks to activities centred on awareness raising, capacity building and knowledge sharing. These activities entail study visits, focus groups, trainings and events tailormade to stimulate the development of WISEs green strategies. It is therefore a one-of-its-kind project, not only for its focus on raising awareness and strengthening WISEs’ capacities at the wake of the green transition, but also for the opportunities it provides through financial support to organisations across Europe, so they can benefit from upcoming study visits and advisory services centred on greening.

Target groups – GrenBoost4WISEs activities are targeted at managers and representatives of WISEs, and other types of social economy enterprises (cooperatives, foundations, networks, etc.) and public authorities.

The consortium is composed by ENSIE as coordinator; a circular economy representative (ReUSE Austria), and 4 WISEs networks from 3 countries: ISEN (Ireland), EVT and Idee In Rete (Italy), and arbeit plus (Austria).

Find more information about the project on its dedicated webpage and by dowloading the project infosheet.
GreenBoost4WISEs Study Visits

As part of the GreenBoost4WISEs project, three study visits were organised across Europe—Dublin, Vienna, and Naples—to foster knowledge exchange and strengthen transnational cooperation in sustainable practices. These visits provided WISEs and Social Economy Enterprises (SEEs) with insights into Circular Economy, ReUse, Manufacturing, and Sustainable Energy Communities. Participants engaged in hands-on learning, shared best practices, and explored new collaboration opportunities. The discussions held during these visits lay the groundwork for future activities, including coaching and mentoring at both national and European levels. Discover how these study visits are shaping a greener, more inclusive future for WISEs.
Dublin, 26-27 September 2024
The first GreenBoost4WISEs study visit took place in Dublin on 26-27 September 2024, bringing together WISEs and SEEs to explore sustainable business practices. Hosted at the Rediscovery Centre, participants delved into Ireland’s transition to a circular economy, learning from experts such as Claire Downey (Rediscovery Centre) and Alex Reilly (An Taisce). Interactive sessions and guided tours showcased innovative reuse and recycling initiatives in fashion, paint, bicycles, and furniture.
On Day 2, the visit moved to Inner City Enterprise, where discussions covered community wealth building, sustainable business models, and impact-driven enterprises like Moyee Coffee and Shareclub. Speakers from Dublin City Council and ReUse Austria provided insights into green policy and sustainability tools.

The visit fostered valuable connections and laid the foundation for further transnational cooperation. Through shared experiences and best practices, participants gained practical knowledge to advance their organisations’ green transition.
Vienna, 17-18 October 2024
The second GreenBoost4WISEs study visit took place in Vienna on 17-18 October 2024, focusing on sustainable manufacturing, circular economy, and integrating workers with support needs into green activities. The visit began at Wien Work, a WISE in Vienna’s Seestadt, where participants explored diverse social enterprises, from carpentry and painting services to gardening and laundry facilities, all with a strong ecological focus.

A workshop at Blumenfabrik, a co-working space for ecological initiatives, encouraged participants to exchange ideas on sustainability, exploring practical steps such as food waste reduction and material recycling.

On Day 2, the group visited DRZ, a pioneering WISE specialising in electronic waste collection and upcycling. This visit highlighted how sustainability and social impact can go hand in hand.

The Vienna study visit provided valuable lessons on policy, funding, and innovative green practices, inspiring participants to strengthen their own sustainability strategies.
Naples, 21-22 November 2024
The third and final GreenBoost4WISEs study visit took place in Naples on 21-22 November 2024, focusing on Sustainable Energy Communities and the circular economy. The visit began with an insightful session led by Raniero Madonna (Madre Terra Energia cooperative), exploring the benefits and implementation of energy communities at the European level.

Participants then visited ReMade Community Lab, a pioneering initiative integrating waste collection, recycling, and sustainable production. The lab’s innovative approach to co-design and digital manufacturing fosters green entrepreneurship and community engagement. The day concluded with a visit to San Gennaro’s Catacombs, managed by La Paranza, showcasing the potential of cultural heritage in social enterprise.

On Day 2, participants attended a workshop on energy communities, followed by a guided tour of Rione Sanità. The visit concluded with a transnational dialogue on sustainable business development, reinforcing the importance of collaboration in the green transition.
Credit: Consorzio Nazionale Idee In Rete
Latest news from the project
The Application process for the list of VET and Advisory Services to GreenBoost4WISEs is still open!

The aim of this listing process is the creation of a database including VET providers and Advisory Services Providers with experience in green training initiatives and/or courses and/or applications and/or experience supporting WISEs and SEEs in their green transformation process.

The Database will be used by the WISEs and SEEs participating in the GreenBoost4WISEs project to identify the most appropriate provider(s) to support their upskilling process via financial support awarded to them by the project from October 2024.

The Database will remain open until March 2025, training courses and/or advisory services can be carried out until the deadline of May 2025. For more details on eligibility, and the typology on training and services, please consult the invitation document with guidelines and apply at the link here.