EnergyEfficiency4SMEs (EE4SMEs) has been recognised among the 28 best practices in Europe in the latest publication, ‘Giving LIFE to Europe’s Clean Energy Transition’ as part of the LIFE CET Programme. The Agency, together with the Malta Business Bureau (MBB), partnered on this initiative to support organisations through a series of workshops and webinars focused on presenting the business case for energy audits to senior management.
EnergyEfficiency4SMEs aims to identify best practices from large companies that can be adapted by SMEs, while ensuring businesses receive guidance from chambers of commerce. The project delivers capacity building and training to help company staff effectively implement energy audit recommendations. In the long term, it contributes to the EU’s objective of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The tools developed through the project will continue to serve as a first point of contact for SMEs on energy management topics, including benchmarking and the implementation of energy management plans.
The LIFE Clean Energy Transition (LIFE CET) Programme supports the EU single market and cross-border cooperation to bring energy efficiency and clean energy solutions to every region, business and citizen. Since 2021, the LIFE Programme has allocated nearly €1 billion for the 2021–2027 period. LIFE CET funds approximately 60–70 innovative projects annually and brings together around 1,400 market actors across 261 projects spanning industry, the public sector, finance, research and civil society.
Beyond businesses, LIFE CET also empowers local communities to participate in the energy transition. More than 500 energy communities have been supported, covering business models ranging from renewable energy generation to heating, cooling and building renovation. The programme has also helped launch over 50 local services supporting community energy projects and, in 2025, introduced a dedicated Energy Communities Facility to provide early-stage funding where it is most needed.
The EnergyEfficiency4SMEs kicked off in November of 2022 with a total duration of 36 months. The project is financed through the LIFE Program with a budget allocation of €1,749,337.70 between 23 project partners from 10 different countries – Belgium, Austria, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, France, Germany, Italy, Malta and Spain.