Background
Lack of expertise and experts in relation to Sustainability Accounting for SMEs
SMEs lack important knowledge regarding sustainability problems (i.e. confusion over what sustainability is, which process to follow to introduce sustainability into their businesses, etc.). At the same time, their staff need to know more about the principles of sustainability if they are to take a proactive approach to their work.
Existing frameworks, standards and protocols to assist companies adopt and implement the sustainability practices are complex, especially for SMEs, since they are designed as “one size fits all” with large enterprises in mind.
Aim
Empowering SMEs Staff
The Report_ASAP will provide the necessary training and tools for SMEs staff in six (6) countries, UK, SPAIN, ITALY, CROATIA, BULGARIA, and GREECE, to adopt sustainable accounting and reporting practices in a cost-effective way.
Empowering Training Providers & other Stakeholders
The project addresses also VET organisations, trainers, chambers of SMEs, and other business professionals who will benefit from getting increased awareness and knowledge about how to implement sustainability accounting, reporting practices and systems alongside a clear understanding of how business data manifests to financial values of relevance to sustainability accounting.
Innovation
Depicting the Knowedge Gap State
The project will provide a full picture of the current situation at European and national level with respect to what accountants and SMEs staff know in relation to sustainable reporting.
Promoting Open & Innovative Practice, Training & Tools
The project will come up with the following tangible results:
- An ECVET training course (set as Learning Outcomes) which include training materials and guide for learners and instructors, and a set of recommendations to help even out the “Sustainability Reporting Literacy” levels from both a national and European perspective;
- An Online training delivery environment facilitated by a Social Learning Motivational Environment;
- A Framework for the Recognition of Skills and Achievements acquired by learners based on the Open Badges Recognition Framework.
- A virtual space, the Report-ASAP Academy, providing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate a network of VET trainers, training organisations, SMEs chambers and other stakeholders who will adopt the results of the project and continue to maintain and develop them past the funding period.
The project will provide a full picture of the current situation at European and national level with respect to what accountants and SMEs staff know in relation to sustainable reporting.
