The document outlines the Sustainable Business Initiative (WIN) in Styria, Austria, which provides financial support and expertise to help businesses implement more sustainable practices. The initiative is a collaboration between the Styrian government and business organizations. It aims to promote sustainability through regional events, information materials, and by funding consulting projects on topics like environmental management, energy efficiency, and climate protection. The initiative maintains a pool of qualified experts to provide businesses with neutral advice on sustainability strategies. It also recognizes outstanding sustainable projects through public awards.

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