The Faculty of Business Studies at Mondragon Unibertsitatea leads INBERTEKO: financing Gipuzkoa’s sustainable future through competitiveness and responsibility
The Faculty of Business Studies at Mondragon Unibertsitatea leads INBERTEKO: financing Gipuzkoa’s sustainable future through competitiveness and responsibility
The Faculty of Business Studies at Mondragon Unibertsitatea leads INBERTEKO: financing Gipuzkoa’s sustainable future through competitiveness and responsibility
Building on the expertise of its Economy and Finance research team, the Faculty of Business Studies is leading a project aimed at facilitating access to sustainable financing for SMEs in Gipuzkoa
In the current context, the ecological transition is a pressing need demanded by both institutions and society. Gipuzkoa, with its strong industrial fabric, the significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a business culture deeply connected to the territory, faces the challenge of advancing toward more sustainable models without compromising competitiveness. However, financing remains a common barrier that prevents many companies from moving in this direction.
With the aim of promoting sustainable competitiveness and recognizing this as an opportunity for the business fabric of Gipuzkoa, INBERTEKO was created. This project seeks to develop a financing framework that enables SMEs to implement sustainable actions and continue adapting to market demands and ESG regulations. A framework that integrates sustainability strategically, allowing companies to meet client expectations while maintaining competitiveness.
INBERTEKO is not a response to a short-term urgency. It is a project based on the previous experience of the Economy and Finance research team at the Faculty of Business Studies at Mondragon Unibertsitatea, with several earlier studies on sustainability (at the Gipuzkoa, Basque Country, and Spain levels). These studies have shown that many companies are willing to take steps toward sustainability, but often lack the resources to do so. At the same time, investors, financial institutions, and public administrations recognize the importance of channeling investment into sustainable business models, but require clear frameworks to evaluate and support them. INBERTEKO aims to connect these two worlds: the financing needs of companies and the supply of sustainable investment. Social concerns will now be reflected in investments, supporting organizations firmly committed to environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable business models.
To achieve this connection, the project begins with an international benchmark analysis of different sustainable financing mechanisms. From there, it develops a roadmap to help Gipuzkoan companies work with the EU green taxonomy indicators. Based on this knowledge, a green investment fund is designed. The proposed framework is then validated with public and private organizations to ensure its applicability and facilitate potential implementation.
Beyond technical analysis and reports, INBERTEKO aims to raise awareness about the key role of financing in advancing the ecological transition. That is why it includes a communication and outreach strategy to ensure that its findings reach companies, public administrations, and society at large.
Sustainability is no longer an option for companies — it is a condition for long-term viability. This is where INBERTEKO was born: providing a concrete response to a real challenge. With a practical approach and a clear connection to the needs of Gipuzkoa’s productive fabric, the project seeks to ensure a fair and sustainable ecological transition.
