Dublin Chamber hosts high-profile Erasmus+ ESG training event

Existing ESG supports across Europe are “limited, often outsourced and lacking the holistic business approach needed”

Wednesday, 10^th of January 2024: The Green Chambers Erasmus+ Project, a trailblazing initiative aimed at empowering Chambers of Commerce across Europe to better assist their SME members in developing robust Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) strategies, announces its mid-project milestone event: the "Train the Trainer" workshop in Dublin. Attendees include representatives from the Polish Chamber of Commerce, the Malta Chamber, Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, Chambers Ireland, amongst others.

This innovative project, halfway through its timeline, has already made significant strides in addressing the urgent need for SMEs to adopt sustainable practices for enhanced competitiveness and resilience. It has done so by recognising the growing demand for ESG expertise and providing training opportunities that improve and enable the capacity of Chambers of Commerce to offer comprehensive ESG training to their members. The importance of this project is crucial, as current training resources are noted by the project as limited, often outsourced, and addressing specific needs such as resource efficiency, carbon footprint or circular principles without the holistic business approach needed.

Miriam Tuomey, International Executive at Dublin Chamber said "The 'Train the Trainer' workshop comes at a critical juncture. Dublin Chamber's latest research highlighted attracting, retaining, and upskilling staff as the top business priority for the third consecutive year, which is a clarion call for our project's mission. By focusing on equipping Chambers of Commerce with advanced ESG training skills, we are directly addressing these priorities. The upskilling of staff in the domain of ESG strategy is not just about filling a current skills gap; it's a forward-looking approach to ensuring our workforce is prepared for the future demands of sustainable business practices. This alignment of our project with Dublin Chamber's research is a testament to our shared vision for a more resilient and competitive business environment across Europe."

Key Event Highlights:

• Intensive training sessions focusing on implementing ESG strategies within Chambers, including presentations, feedback exchanges, and discussions about the current state of ESG implementation
• Focus on practical application, including SME assessments, setting up training plans, and monitoring ESG strategy implementation.
• A visit to the ‘Rediscovery Center’, Ireland's national centre for the circular economy, highlighting real-world examples of sustainable practices.

This workshop, a core component of the project, emphasises peer learning and collaborative development of ESG strategies. Participants, including selected trainers from various Chambers, will delve into the online training content before convening in Dublin. The workshop will culminate in formulating action plans for the next four months under the guidance of OMNIA, the project's supervisory body.

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Notes for Editor:

About Green Chambers Erasmus+ Project:

Launched with the shared concern among participating Chambers over the ESG assessment provided to members, the Green Chambers Project is a response to the critical need for holistic business approaches to sustainability. It represents a concerted effort to equip Chambers with the necessary tools and knowledge to guide SMEs on their sustainability journeys, ensuring a more resilient and competitive future.

Attendees:

• VCCI
• Terrassa Chamber of Commerce
• Aragonese Council of Chambers
• Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Services of Valladolid
• Cork Chamber
• Chambers Ireland
• Galway Chamber
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia
• Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia - Institute for Business Education
• Malta Business Bureau
• The Malta Chamber
• Polish Chamber of Commerce
• OMNIA

For further information please contact:

Órla Mannion | Public Affairs Manager | Dublin Chamber | orla@dublinchamber.ie

About Dublin Chamber:

Dublin Chamber is the largest chamber of commerce in Ireland with over 1,300 member companies. It is the most representative and broadly-based business group in the Greater Dublin Area, providing representation and networking services. Its policy work focuses on developing the Dublin region’s infrastructure & transport, promoting competitiveness, and improving local governance. Dublin Chamber is also one of the oldest chambers of commerce in the world, tracing its origins back to 1782.