"Design your production in green way"

http://bsc.smebg.net/danubepie/

What is Danube PIE?
Danube PIE is an international project whose main goal is to raise awareness among SMEs in Danube region regarding ecodesign issues. The project is funded by the European Commission through the CIP (Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme). The underlying idea of the project is to provide knowledge on ecodesign which can be integrated in product development process in companies.

What is eco-design?
Eco-design is an approach to the efficient use of materials and energy that should provide cost savings, preservation of the environment, increased competition and expansion into the change of existing products and processes, or the introduction of new sustainable products.

What can you get by participating?
EDUCATION - The project team will perform in the next two years training courses and consultations to educate SMEs in order to introduce eco tools* in manufacturing and business processes.

NETWORKING - One goal of the project is to connect companies / organizations (through promotional events and roundtables) working in similar areas of manufacturing / service delivery and which have the need to improve their processes.

SHARING EXPERIENCES - A certain number of selected companies / organizations will have the opportunity to attend a study tour - Eco design study trip - during the duration of the project, where the goal is for participants to share experiences and gain further knowledge in the field of eco-design applications.

INFORMATION ABOUT EU CALLS AND NATIONAL FUNDS

Application for participation in the project and education itself through training and consultations are completely free of charge.

Who can participate?
Primarily small and medium-sized enterprises operating in fields related to printing and packaging, as well as companies operating in other manufacturing sectors that have need to apply eco-design into their business. Project beneficiaries can be service providers that apply (or want to apply) eco-design concepts in their activities.

What do we expect from companies/institutions?
Informing the project team and external experts of existing capacity and processes, and the need for applying eco-design tools and methodologies. Based on these data, the Danube PIE team will be able to conduct in-house training to companies / institutions and provide a set of services that will enable efficient implementation of eco-design tools and methodologies to interested companies and organizations in order to increase their competitiveness.

How can you apply?
In case you are interested, send us an e-mail to een@smebg.net. Send us basic info about your company, contact person and brief description of eco tools* in case you use any.

Planned activities:

• Selection of ecodesign tools: Inventory of tools for promotion of eco-design used by companies
• Training on a specialized software instrument for eco-design assessment (for the project team and external experts)
• Company support services: Individual in-house training of companies and use of the eco-design assessment tool
• Awareness raising: Round tables, joint stakeholders discussions, workshops, information dissemination and horizontal activities

More detailed information on these and all future events we will send you an e-mail, or you can read more about on our Facebook page.

* Eco tools are guidelines or standards that may have any company, and if they comply to them rational use of resources is achieved, costs are reduced, income is increased and the negative impact on the environment is reduced

Danube PIE is an international project financed by the European Commission (Competitiveness and Innovation Program- CIP) and co-financed by all the involved partners coming from six European countries.
Danube PIE partners are:
• Steinbeis Europa Zentrum (Stuttgart, Germany)
• Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture (Timisoara, Romania)
• Business Support Centre for SME (Ruse, Bulgaria)
• Hungarian Investment and Trade Agency (Budapest, Hungary)
• Technology Park (Varaždin, Croatia)
• University of Novi Sad (Novi Sad, Serbia)

Information and contacts:

Iliana Draganova - iy@smebg.net

Ivaylo Hristoforov - forka@smebg.net

Ekaterina Yordanova - e.yordanova@smebg.net

BSC SME-Ruse
7000 Ruse, Bulgaria, 14 Kresna Str.
Tel./Fax: +359 82 821 472
http://bsc.smebg.net/