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GreenBoost4WISEs project Newsletter n°3 - SocEnt.ie

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GreenBoost4WISEs project Newsletter n°3

Jun 4, 2025 | Europe, GreenBoost4WISE's, News

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.
Latest news from the project
Save the date and register for the GreenBoost4WISEs Final Conference!

The GreenBoost4WISEs project is organising its Final Conference: “Empowering WISEs for a Sustainable Future“! Bringing together a diverse array of social economy actors, public authorities, and mainstream businesses, EU policymakers, the conference will serve as a forum to discuss the enabling environment needed to foster green innovation at policy level and on the ground within WISEs.

The GreenBoost4WISEs Final Conference will be held the on the 25th of June, 9:00-16:00 at the European Economic and Social Committee, in Brussels.

Registration is mandatory. To register, please fill the form.
Find more on this event on ENSIE’s website.
GreenBoost4WISEs Coaching and Mentoring Sessions

As part of the GreenBoost4WISEs project, a series of European coaching and mentoring sessions were organised to support WISEs in their transition towards more sustainable and circular business models. The programme began with an online session on 30 January 2025, where participants explored inspiring practices actively combining social inclusion with circular economy strategies. This virtual exchange laid the groundwork for deeper discussions during the in-person sessions held in Brussels on 4–5 February 2025. These events gathered project partners, EU-level stakeholders and policymakers to explore key challenges and policy frameworks shaping the green transition for WISEs. Through high-level panel discussions, peer learning workshops, and a visit to the European Parliament, participants strengthened their knowledge, shared experiences, and identified opportunities for collaboration. Together, the sessions fostered transnational dialogue, capacity building, and strategic reflection on how to align environmental ambitions with inclusive employment.
Coaching and Mentoring Online Session

30 January 2025
The online coaching and mentoring session held on 30 January 2025 launched the GreenBoost4WISEs programme with a focus on showcasing successful practices in the social and circular economy. ENSIE Director Patrizia Bussi introduced the project’s objectives, highlighting its support for WISEs through transnational cooperation, training, and advisory services aimed at fostering greener operations. The session featured two good practice presentations.
Ateliere Fără Frontiere (Romania) shared its experience running inclusive workshops that combine environmental services—such as e-waste refurbishment (Educlick) and upcycled accessories (Remesh)—with job integration for people facing severe exclusion. They emphasised the challenge of sustaining motivation and balancing social support with production goals, particularly in the absence of state support.
Formació i Treball (Catalonia, Spain) presented their circular textile model, which includes social shops like “Moda re-” and partnerships with retail chains to promote reuse, reduce waste and create jobs for vulnerable groups. Their impact includes 21 million kg of textiles recovered and support to over 17,000 families. These case studies illustrated how WISEs can effectively combine social and environmental impact. The session closed with a preview of the Brussels event and a reminder to partners to engage actively in upcoming project opportunities and stakeholder dialogues.
Coaching and Mentoring sessions – Day 1

Brussels, 4 February 2025
The first day of the Brussels event focused on deepening the understanding of EU-level frameworks supporting WISEs in their green transition. Hosted at ENSIE’s premises and later at the European Parliament, the day opened with a project overview by ENSIE Director Patrizia Bussi, who outlined the GreenBoost4WISEs project’s structure, objectives, and activities. This was followed by a high-level exchange with key institutional stakeholders: Simone Schirru (RREUSE), Karel Vanderpoorten (DG GROW, European Commission), and Andrea Casamenti (SOLIDAR).

The panel, moderated by ENSIE’s Policy Officer Baptiste Vasseur, explored how EU policies, especially those in the domains related to sustainability — such as the Social Economy Action Plan and Just Transition initiatives — intersect with the challenges and opportunities faced by WISEs. Discussions addressed critical issues including access to finance, public procurement, skills development, and the regulatory environment. The session underlined the need for policies that balance ecological goals with social inclusion, particularly for enterprises supporting vulnerable groups.
The afternoon featured a guided visit to the European Parliament, including an informal exchange with MEP Lynn Boylan. This provided a valuable opportunity to understand institutional processes and build direct connections between WISE practitioners and EU policymakers, reinforcing the importance of advocacy and representation at the European level.
Coaching and Mentoring Session – Day #2

Brussels, 5 February 2025
The session on day 2 was dedicated to peer learning and strategic exchange among project partners. Participants took part in two rounds of thematic workshops focusing on key green transition topics: knowledge transfer, internal sustainability practices, product innovation, circular economy strategies, impact measurement, and the adoption of green services. Each workshop was moderated by a project partner organisation, facilitating in-depth discussions around practical experiences, existing challenges, and solutions being tested on the ground. This format allowed WISEs and support organisations to explore how ecological ambitions can be embedded in their business models while maintaining social objectives. A final plenary session brought together key takeaways from each group, enabling a cross-pollination of ideas and reinforcing shared commitments. Participants appreciated the open exchange and collective brainstorming, which supported learning from peers facing similar challenges in different national contexts. The event concluded with an evaluation and reflections on how the insights gained would inform future project actions.