Second Digital and Green SMEs Capacity-Building Study Visit

This second capacity-building study visit was dedicated to Accelerating SMEs' Twin Transitions in the Western Balkans by Upskilling and Training the Workforce. The study visit aimed to identify the main barriers to upskilling and training for the digital and green transitions within SMEs in the six Western Balkan economies (WB6), and to share good practice examples to overcome them.

The study visit was organised back-to-back with the Green Matrix Summit, the annual global conference in Osijek dedicated to sustainable development and green technologies. The Summit brought together experts, business leaders, politicians and activists to discuss innovative solutions for a more sustainable future.

WB6 representatives had the opportunity to participate in the side events of the Summit and meet SMEs in Osijek that have equipped their workforce with digital and green skills. A dedicated workshop organised by the OECD allowed participants to exchange policy solutions to accelerate the twin transitions and to learn from OECD and Croatian good practices.

The study visit was co-developed with the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs of Croatia to combine:

• peer learning and showcasing effective policy approaches, and
• direct engagement with SMEs and organisations supporting SMEs upskill and train the workforce for the twin transitions.

Western Balkans economies have been increasingly focused on supporting SMEs in adopting digital technologies, developing e-commerce and e-business, and engaging in digital innovation that complements the simultaneous green transition. However, a lack of skills and knowledge about such technologies remains significant barriers to further digital and green maturity. Across the OECD, 1 in 4 SMEs point to high costs, skills shortages and no time for training as barriers to digital transformation.

A recent OECD survey found that 31% of SMEs in the region is not providing regular training for digital skills, and this number is much higher for smaller businesses (OECD Survey, forthcoming).

Through the project Digital and Green SMEs: Accelerating Twin Transitions in the Western Balkans, the OECD helps Western Balkan economies improve their policy frameworks to support SMEs as they sustainably digitalise and accelerate their green transition, in order to converge with EU and OECD standards.

The project is financed by the Government of Croatia, and will run until December 2026. The project activities include a series of high-level policy dialogues and capacity-building study visits, as well as a survey to identify digital and green transition bottlenecks and assess the maturity of SMEs in the Western Balkans to adopt the twin transitions.

• Activity report
• Presentation from OECD South East Europe Division
• Presentation from OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities

For more information, please contact:

Gabriela Miranda, Senior Advisor, gabriela.miranda@oecd.org