Over a hundred SMEs are already taking part in the Basque Government’s BasquESG initiative; the aim is to reach 500 Basque companies before the end of the year

The interest of the Basque business fabric in the BasqueESG initiative – which is one of the transformative projects included in the Basque Government’s Basque Industry Plan 2030 – has increased significantly since its launch. There are currently 112 Basque SMEs taking part in this project and the goal is to reach 500 companies by the end of 2026.

The initiative was launched in November and has exceeded all expectations: 112 Basque SMEs are signed up to the project so far

Last November, the Basque Government launched BasquESG as part of its commitment to take full advantage of the strategic opportunities for the Basque business fabric; the initiative’s goal is to roll out a sustainability assessment and reporting system among Basque SMEs in order to improve their competitiveness and positioning. 

The ESG (standing for Environmental, Social and Governance) concept encompasses the criteria that establish how an organisation manages its environmental impact, its social responsibility and the quality of its corporate governance. 

Adopting ESG practices means committing to a more ethical, transparent and sustainable business model, capable of generating long-term value for customers, investors and society. In a global context where sustainability is key, ESG is the common language that connects companies with opportunities, trust and being forward-looking.

The initiative offers a standardised reporting tool for SMEs, which will make them more competitive and better positioned on the market

Therefore, the BasquESG initiative led by the Basque Government is seeking to drive a more sustainable, resilient and competitive economy. It provides SMEs with practical tools, capacity-building and expert mentoring to improve their performance in sustainability, bolster their positioning on the market, and anticipate future financial and legislative requirements, and by the value chain. 

Backing of the European Commission    

Basque companies’ positive response to BasqueESG has been bolstered by the European Commission awarding a LIFE project to Ihobe as the lead entity; the project has a total budget of €1.28 million, €768,153 of which come from European funding. 

Along with Ihobe, Euskalit and Certinalia will be taking part in the LIFE project as official partners; the large group of affiliated entities includes financial institutions and large industrial corporations. 

Open access to BasquESG

The BasquESG initiative is now embarking on a new stage when its support will be offered to all Basque SMEs. The programme is aimed at any small and medium-sized company interested in advancing in sustainability, thus reflecting the diversity of the Basque Country’s economic fabric.

The BasquESG project has been bolstered with the awarding of a €780,000 subsidy through the European Commission’s LIFE programme

Furthermore, in light of the high number of applications to take part in BasquESG, Ihobe – which is the initiative’s technical secretariat – has decided on a rolling application process. Thus, Basque SMEs can join BasqueESG at any time and access the associated training and mentoring services. 

Companies wishing to sign up can use the following form: 

Application for participation in the Sustainability Assessment Pilot Project