Workshop Series: From Essentials to Sustainability Report for VSMEs - EOI

Workshop Series: From Essentials to Sustainability Report for VSMEs  

Format: Seven 1.5-hour bi-weekly workshops (10 h in total)

When: January to April 2025

Start: 10th of January 2025 

Language: English 

Participants: 5-8 

Price: 1.200 EUR + Applicable VAT per person/company

1. WHY

SMEs are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of sustainability reporting. Moreover, SMEs receive numerous requests for sustainability data from large entities like lenders, banks, investors, and corporate clients. 

EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) decided to streamline sustainability reporting for SMEs, support them in monitoring their sustainability performance, and enhance the transparency of their processes while also considering their resources and capabilities. 

Due to these developments, we decided to develop a set of workshops where companies would start with reporting basics and finish with a reporting draft.   

2. FOR WHOM 

- Micro, small, and medium-sized entrepreneurs (SME) and start-ups based in the EU

- C-level and HR personnel who want to familiarise themselves with the latest reporting regulations 

3. CONTENT 

This workshop series consists of theoretical sessions covering the key reporting elements and practical exercises. Workshops are created explicitly for VSMEs following official EFRAG (European Financial Reporting Advisory Group) guidelines. Between the workshops, participants will receive practical assignments that will assist companies in preparing the first (draft) structure of their voluntary sustainability report. Trainers’ assignments feedback will provide clear directions on the company's progress and possible gaps. After completing the workshop series, participating companies will gain valid insight and understanding of the reporting requirements for their voluntary sustainability reports.

4. KEY LEARNINGS 

- analyse the company's current sustainability practices and the data the company collect 

- understand the critical reporting elements that VSME have to report 

- remember the points the company should be aware of concerning data disclosed  

- apply learnings from theoretical sessions to own company sustainability reports practically 

- create, with trainers’ assistance, an initial company sustainability report draft 

5. EXPECTED OUTCOMES 

After completing a set of workshops, participants will gain valid insight and understanding of the reporting requirements for their voluntary sustainability reports. The participating companies should be able to finalise their first voluntary report independently after the workshop series. 

6. MATERIALS 

- Tools templates for the weekly assignments 

- Disclosure tables for the reporting 

- Relevant reporting documents 

- Session slides 

- Session recordings

7. ASSESSMENT

- Seven bi-weekly assessments

These will indicate participants’ progress on the sustainability report. Participating companies will receive assignment feedback from workshop experts.  

- Final assessment 

The draft or structure of the final voluntary sustainability report that the company completes after the course. 

Participants will receive feedback on this assignment.

8. WORKSHOP EXPERTS 

Helena Sustar, PhD, has a strong research background from Aalto University and profoundly understands the EU circular companies' ecosystem. With nine years of experience in adult education, she upholds the highest standards. She has concentrated on sustainability reporting for the past two years, including CSRD, ESG, and ESRS developments, explicitly focusing on SMEs (VSME and LSME). She wants to support companies in achieving sustainability reporting proficiency, fostering transparency, and ensuring greater accountability.

Other experts will be announced later. 

10. ADDITIONAL 

For any additional information, contact helena.sustar@habitaniainstitute.com or

book an appointment at https://calendly.com/helena-sustar/30min.

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