The European Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) is expanding its focus on small and medium-sized enterprises with the launch of the brand-new “SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency Award”, one of the three award categories for the 2026 edition. The initiative is designed to recognise SMEs that develop innovative business or financing models capable of accelerating the uptake of energy efficiency solutions across the European Union.

The award targets EU-defined SMEs operating in at least one Member State and running either pilot projects or commercially active initiatives with a clear innovative dimension linked to energy efficiency. By rewarding approaches that make energy upgrades more accessible, affordable and scalable, EUSEW aims to highlight the strategic role of SMEs in reducing energy demand and emissions.

€17.5 Billion to Unlock SME Energy Savings

The introduction of the new award coincides with a major financial turning point for European SMEs. In 2025, the European Commission and the European Investment Bank Group announced a €17.5 billion financing initiative fully dedicated to energy efficiency in SMEs, one of the largest commitments ever made in this area.

Thanks to this programme, more than 350 000 companies across Europe are expected to improve their energy efficiency between 2025 and 2027. The initiative will almost double current support levels, enabling SMEs to cut energy use, lower operating costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The EIB will work with private partners through dedicated investment platforms to support projects and attract additional capital into the energy efficiency market.

Energy Efficiency as an Industrial Strategy

These measures underline the growing alignment between energy policy and industrial competitiveness. Supporting SMEs in their clean energy transition contributes directly to the EU’s Clean Industrial Deal and Action Plan for Affordable Energy, strengthening resilience in a context of volatile energy prices.

By combining targeted financing with public recognition through EUSEW, the EU is positioning SMEs as key drivers of decarbonisation. Companies interested in the “SMEs Driving Energy Efficiency Award” can consult the guidelines and apply via the event's official website, joining a policy framework that places efficiency, innovation and competitiveness at the centre of Europe’s energy transition.

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