As told by Silke Leichtfried, at the IEA DSM Task 24 workshop in Graz, Austria (October 13, 2014).

1. Sustainable Business Initiative (Wirtschaftsinitiative Nachhaltigkeit – WIN) Silke Leichtfried Styrian Federal Province Government Department of Waste Management and Sustainability (A14) Bürgergasse 5a, 8010 Graz

2. Our motto !
Success – Today AND Tomorrow !

3. The organization
Styrian Federal Province Government Department of Waste Management/Sustainability
Styrian Business Promotion Agency
Styrian Economic Chamber
Austrian Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Environment and Water Management

4. Driving forces for sustainable development
Increasing sensitivity of end-customers
Urbanisation and aging
Ecologization of the future tax system
Climate change
Water shortage
Shortage of skilled workers

5. Information and awareness
 Regional information events
 Information booklets
 Videos of best practice examples
 Free download of energy saving and energy efficiency tips

6. A Sustainable business strategies
B Implementation of environmental management systems
C Environmental and climate protection
Financial support for consulting projects

7. Financial support
Sustainability Check
Management Check
Eco Check
70% of net consulting costs (maximum 1000 € per project site)
All other consulting projects with a maximum of 50% (detailed project description required)

8. Experts – pool – a key factor for success
Formal und technical Criteria:
• business licence
• neutral and independent advice
• fee of 200 € (exkl.) per year Benefits for the consultants:
• part of a competence network
• exchange of experience
• training seminars
• information advantage
• common public relations
• brand image

9. Motivation and public awards
Energy Globe Styria Award
TRIGOS
Reward for outstanding commitment in the field of corporate social responsibility
Reward for resource- saving and energy efficient projects

10. Documentation and evaluation
Online - database with detail information to
participating companies
project descriptions
funding amounts and
projects results
Evaluation by
external experts

11. Success factors
One-Stop-Shop for corporate sustainability
Careful selection of experts – quality control by public institutions
Flexible structure of the program (workshop series and on- site consultancies possible)
Common public relations work – image benefits for participating consultants and companies

12. Conclusions
Consulting programs help to spread innovative technologies
Consulting programs help SME`s in making investment decisions
Consulting programs can be a missing link between enterprises and consumers

13. Thank you for your attention !
Further information www.win.steiermark.at