The starting point of this project was to get acquainted with and collate examples of existing practice of sustainability and IR by SMEs, together with existing practical experiences in the Member States represented in the project.
Publisher Springer published our findings in a monograph: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-030-81903-3

Our framework is fully compliant with the “International Framework” recently updated by the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC). Our document – as we call – “A Framework for action” - defines key principles and explains main concepts underlying the adoption of integrated reporting in accordance with the “Integrated Reporting Framework” of the IIRC but modified to the special needs and circumstances of SMEs. The main purpose of this framework consists of:
   - highlighting key concepts and establishing a general understanding of the terminology;
   - identifying key stakeholders and users of integrated reports and the required types of information;
   - recognising the capitals and the interrelations between them
   - assisting SMEs in adoption of an integrated reporting system and preparation of an integrated report;
   - helping the users of the report prepared in compliance with this framework to understand and interpret the information disclosed.

Summarized, the key objectives of our professional material are:
   - to call the attention of SMEs’ owners, managers and stakeholder to the existence and relevance of integrated reporting;
   - based on IIRC’s Framework provide an explanation in the context of SMEs;
   - to show that SMEs can prepare , it has advantages for them at long run;
   - to emphasise that if SMEs do the first steps toward using the Framework and Guide, it will help them improving the integrated thinking, identifying the values of the company; depending on the intentions of SMEs, these processes can result in preparing .

IR Guide for SMEs:

Based on the IR Framework, we developed a practical handbook on how to measure and communicate SME performance in an integrated perspective. The handbook provides operational guidance on how to keep track of value creation in such a way to satisfy the information needs of both internal decision-makers (SME owners and managers) and external stakeholders (funding agencies, customers, suppliers, unions, regulators, etc.). The Guide is available the native languages of the project members.

The Guide can be used to implement integrated reporting in two stages. If you are embarking on the journey towards integrated reporting, it may make sense to use integrated reporting firstly for internal purposes. This first stage can serve to build a better understanding within the company of your activities, decision-making processes, value creation process, use of resources and key stakeholders. Once you have established this understanding, you can move integrated reporting to a second stage to communicate externally with stakeholders.

As a supportive tool we develop an online tool as well to make the opportunity for SMEs to prepare their first draft of sustainable/integrated report in digital way.

IR Curriculum for SMEs