The project aims to improve SMEs uptake of Environmentally Sustainable Innovations (ESIs) into their business. For that the regions need to work further on how to develop models such as the cooperative business support model, where the focus should be on possible measures for business development and how companies can evolve towards an Environmentally Driven Export Market (EDEM) while working together with the whole chain of support and in close interaction with the SMEs themselves. Herein lays a need to create an international network of contacts concerning how public and private bodies can work on these issues in order to improve policy delivery for an Environmentally Driven Business Development of SMEs.

EDBD implies an instrumental meaning; the purpose is to develop the businesses by developing the environmental dimension in their use of technology, in their business dealings, and their markets, i.e. the environmental aspect is a tool to develop business. As such, EDBD does not only include Clean Technologies, but also product development in other fields of business that utilize an environmentally friendly approach.

The project started in April 2016 and ran until March 2021. However, in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic, it was decided to extend the initiative until the end of September 2022.

This extension is intended to assess the impact of the pandemic on SMEs developing and deploying eco-innovations.