The Valencian Community and its partnerships have launched an education cycle dedicated to building a sustainable economy and strengthening social responsibility among Valencian companies. The program aims to disseminate practical, proven practices that help advance a sustainable economy across the Valencian Community and empower local organizations with the knowledge to integrate responsible strategies into everyday operations.
Formalized through a collaboration between the Ministry of Sustainable Economy, Productive Sectors, Trade and Labor and the Valencian Federation of Municipalities and Provinces (FVMP), the initiative targets local associations, public bodies, Valencian businesses, workers with contracts, union staff, and higher education institutions. It seeks to create an inclusive learning platform that links public administration, private enterprise, and civil society in a shared commitment to sustainability and social stewardship.
Rafa Climent,Regional Minister of Sustainable Economy, stressed the value of education on social responsibility, the common-good economy, sustainable development, and related goals for local organizations, SMEs, and citizens involved in municipal life. He described the program as a model project that can unify diverse community stakeholders and drive a shift in development toward social and environmental well-being for everyone involved.
To date, the cycle has planned four sessions in Onda, San Vicente del Raspeig, Sagunto, and Alzira—cities that are not provincial capitals but play a pivotal role in the regional landscape. Involving these mid-sized municipalities aims to foster regional cohesion and demonstrate that sustainable progress comes from active participation across all local governments, not just capitals.
Climent noted that the program seeks to facilitate the creation of strategies, projects, and networks with a shared objective: strengthen sustainable economy and social responsibility in Valencian companies by leveraging municipal leadership and resources. The cycle provides participants with practical tools and knowledge to implement sustainable practices in daily operations, and it guides them on preparing sustainability reports that measure, audit, and manage corporate performance and social impact from environmental, economic, and tripartite perspectives.
The training will help organizations evaluate their ethical footprints and contributions to the common good, prioritizing the optimization of societal value and responsible governance. The cycle emphasizes outcomes over appearances, ensuring the balance sheet reflects the broader benefits to community welfare and environmental stewardship alongside financial results.
Participation is available both in person and online, offering flexible access for learners. The opening conference, held on 26 May in Onda, explored the question, “Why is it necessary to elevate sustainability in Valencian SMEs through social responsibility tools and non-financial reporting?” This session set a practical, results-oriented tone for how small and medium-sized enterprises can embed sustainable practices into core decision-making processes.
The second session, titled “Ethical Foundations and Practice,” took place on 9 June in San Vicente del Raspeig, focusing on the legislation and methodologies shaping sustainable practice within corporate operations. It provided attendees with actionable guidance on aligning regulatory requirements with everyday sustainability actions in business contexts.
The third gathering occurred on 23 June in Sagunto under the theme “The Role of Social Actors in SME Sustainability.” This meeting highlighted the influence of employees, customers, suppliers, and the local community in driving responsible practices and ensuring long-term resilience for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The fourth and final day is scheduled for 15 September in Alzira, with the session titled “Best Practices in Implementing Sustainability and Social Responsibility in Valencian SMEs. The Role of Finance.” It will examine how financial strategies, budgeting decisions, and investment choices support sustainable development and social value creation within regional businesses.