Small and medium-sized enterprises are often not at the start of sustainability. Many are already taking concrete steps: addressing waste, local suppliers, social impact, work flexibility, carbon footprint or more responsible materials. The problem lies elsewhere. They often do not call it ESG, do not monitor it systematically and are not sure which legislative requirements apply to them.
This is the main conclusion of the initial focus group Green Evolution Lab program, which took place on April 9, 2026 in Impact Hub PragueThe goal was to find out what small and medium-sized companies are really addressing in the area of ESG and sustainability, what is preventing them from moving forward, and what type of support makes sense for them.
The focus group included companies from the food industry, textiles, natural products, event management, catering, construction, and environmental consulting.
What did we learn from the focus group?
1. Sustainability is a topic, but it is addressed outside the ESG agenda
Some companies already have sustainability as a conscious part of management, Of does not rank it systematic under the ESG and reporting agendaThe focus group thus showed primarily the gap between practice and terminology; companies take measures, but are unable to describe, document or use them as part of strategic management.
Example: Brand FOREST produces Czech bed linen from ecological textiles, uses certified suppliers, has zero waste production, recyclable packaging, and sewing is provided by a social company. However, these steps are not systematically managed internally and under a single agenda.
2. The biggest barrier is understandable information
The most frequently mentioned barrier was information and communication barriers. Companies lack a clear overview of what concerns them, in what timeframe and what they should practically do. They collect information in a disorganized and separate manner, e.g. through AMSP, Facebook groups, CzechInvest or informally through other entrepreneurs and companies.
According to participants, available resources are often paid, too general, too technical or fragmented.
3. Companies want motivation and free information
In the final dot voting, the two strongest needs emerged as motivation a free information service, specifically, companies would most appreciate an overview of funding sources, legislative obligations and opportunities.
Other needs that were voiced were:
- clear legislative anchoring of social and environmental entrepreneurship,
- cascade financing and micro-grants available even for the smallest entities,
- the most understandable practical manual possible.
Companies simply don't want more general education. They need specific answers to the questions: what does it involve for me, how much will it cost, what will it bring me, and where to start.
4. Economic benefit is decisive
Sustainability is easier to promote in companies when it is linked to a clear business caseEven though there is a part of companies that have sustainability in their value DNA, a significant group of companies needs see economic benefitsThis is where specific examples, return on investment, access to contracts, risk reduction or competitive advantage are important.
Example: Construction company HSF SYSTEM has been measuring its carbon footprint and working on a decarbonization strategy, even though it is not directly required to do so after legislative changes. It continues due to pressure from the holding company, ESG reporting from the parent company and the search for returns investment
5. Greenwashing is a practical problem
The focus group also highlighted another interesting topic. Companies often use certified materials, their suppliers may have valid certification, but the companies themselves do not have certification and say that their own certification would mean approximately one person's year of work.
Companies are therefore calling for clear boundaries. What can they say without their own certification? How can they communicate the origin of materials? Generic phrases cause greenwashing and companies want to avoid it. They need checklists, specific formulations and examples of correct and risky communication.
6. Small businesses are failing the support system
Companies that clearly do not fall into administrative categories, will fall through the support system. They do not know where they fall in the subsidies and support programs. This is system problem: responsible small businesses often don't fit into administrative boxes.
Example: A textile company that is not a weaving mill, a classic manufacturer, or a startup. It is not formally a social enterprise, but it creates both an ecological and social impact.
The outputs determined the next direction of the Green Evolution Lab program
Small and medium-sized businesses don't need another general talk about sustainability. They need to know what concerns them, what is a priority, how to prove it and how to turn it into an advantage. Companies don't need convincing that they have to start from scratch. Many have already started. But they need a system, a language and tools to turn the individual steps into a strategy.
The focus group was the opening meeting of the Green Evolution Lab program and aimed to define the problems that companies are most concerned about in the area of regulations. Workshopsthat will address these problems are Free, but they have limited capacity. Register They can be done now.
Green Evolution Lab
Green Evolution Lab is a program consisting of a set of 10 workshops and meetings focused on the issue of ESG, practically and without bullshit.
To owners and directors small and medium-sized companies, social enterprises or suppliers of larger companies helps to transform ESG obligations into a competitive advantage and gain an edge over the competition.
Workshops worth CZK 50.000 are thanks to the support of the European Union free. Their capacity is limited.
