A project launched in 2010 will offer businesses a unique opportunity to develop their services and engage with project contracts in sustainable building renovation.

The European project GREENOV aims to provide SMEs support to offer their products and services as active participants in the renovation market. Training will be offered across the wider West Midlands area in practical market operation, introducing innovation, engaging with procurement managers, the procurement process and similar, market-based themes. As part of this process, priorities and needs will be established through consultation with businesses and existing training providers and a small number of businesses are now sought to participate in a pilot with representatives from other countries.

GREENOV moves beyond training alone to establish new mechanisms for market participation. Partners will facilitate networking, cluster formation and partnerships complemented by an online tool for procurement and SME promotion. Separate actions target procurers and project managers as stimulus to both ends of the chain and longer-term, to introduce new vision to this fast moving area.

Involvement in GREENOV is led by project partner the Birmingham Chamber of Commerce. Training opportunities will be opened from 2012 and promoted widely as invitation. More information for interested SMEs and to participate in the training pilot is available from Project Manager Katherine Shepherd (0121 607 1828, kshepherd@birmingham-chamber.com) and at www.greenov.net

GREENOV is supported by the INTERREG IVB programme and part-financed by ERDF.