On 24 July 2026, the partners of the ESG Essentials project gathered in Rome, Italy, for the latest Transnational Project Meeting, marking another important milestone in the implementation of the project.
Hosted and organised by CUEIM, the meeting provided the consortium with an opportunity to review the progress achieved so far, discuss the results of the External Assessment, and continue the development of the ESG Essentials e-learning platform.
A key focus of the meeting was the analysis of the feedback collected through the External Assessment process. The partners discussed the main strengths identified, as well as the recommendations received, with the aim of further improving the quality, clarity and practical relevance of the project outputs.
Particular attention was also dedicated to the development of the e-learning platform, which is designed to provide small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with an accessible and effective learning experience on Environmental, Social and Governance principles.
Through practical resources, methodologies and learning materials, the ESG Essentials project aims to support SMEs in better understanding ESG principles and progressively integrating sustainability considerations into their strategies, decision-making processes and everyday business activities.
Insights from the ESG Observatory of Sapienza University of Rome
One of the highlights of the meeting was the contribution of Gianpaolo Basile, Full Professor of Management and Board Member of the ESG Observatory founded by Ermes, the Sapienza University of Rome spin-off.
Professor Basile delivered a presentation entitled:
“Emerging Evidence, Observed Trends, the Needs of the Organizations: A Comparison with the Observatory Sapienza University of Rome.”
During his contribution, he shared findings from recent research and provided valuable insights into emerging ESG trends and the evolving needs of organisations.
The presentation offered the partners an opportunity to compare the work carried out within ESG Essentials with current research evidence and with the challenges organisations are facing when approaching sustainability and ESG implementation.
This exchange further reinforced the importance of developing tools and training resources that are not only theoretically sound but also practical, accessible and closely connected to the real needs of companies.
Moving Forward with ESG Essentials
The Rome meeting represented an important opportunity for the partnership to align on the next stages of implementation and ensure that the project results continue to respond effectively to the needs of SMEs.
By combining the findings of the External Assessment, the expertise of the project partners and contributions from academic and ESG experts, the consortium is continuing to strengthen the quality and practical value of the ESG Essentials learning resources.
The meeting also highlighted the value of transnational cooperation in bringing together different perspectives, experiences and areas of expertise to support SMEs in navigating the increasingly important field of ESG and sustainable business development.
A special thank you goes to CUEIM for hosting and organising the meeting in Rome.
