An expert jury from Generali Group’s international initiative recognised Sico d.o.o.’s comprehensive sustainable, circular, and socially inclusive business model.

At an autumn award ceremony in Ljubljana, the winners of the fourth Generali SME EnterPRIZE competition for 2026 were officially announced. SME EnterPRIZE is a flagship strategic initiative by the Generali Group, launched on the occasion of Generali’s 190th anniversary to promote and support sustainable business models among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Europe. Among this year’s distinguished award recipients is Sico d.o.o., securing an outstanding 2nd place in the Small and Medium Enterprises category alongside a business insurance package.

Rigorous Selection Guided by Renowned Experts

The SME EnterPRIZE competition annually attracts numerous environmentally and socially responsible companies. Winners in each category within Slovenia are determined by an independent jury composed of prominent academic experts, successful entrepreneurs, media representatives, and Generali executives. The jury thoroughly evaluates each candidate’s impact on the environment, employees, local communities, and society as a whole.

For Slovenian award winners, national recognition also serves as a stepping stone toward international visibility. All national winners proceed to the second, international selection round, where an international Generali Group jury selects the ultimate “Sustainability Hero,” who will represent their vision at the European final event in Brussels.

How Sico d.o.o. Impressed the Generali SME EnterPRIZE Jury

As a social enterprise for persons with disabilities with over 30 years of tradition, Sico d.o.o. demonstrates daily that advanced engineering solutions, energy efficiency, and social responsibility can be seamlessly combined into a single long-term business model.

The expert jury was convinced by our core sustainability pillars:

• Advanced Circular Technologies:

  Our proprietary shredders for wood, plastics, and other materials enable efficient processing and resource recovery. Through innovative engineering, they consume up to 40% less energy compared to industry standards.

• Green and Self-Sustaining Operations:

  Our manufacturing facilities feature solar power plants, energy storage systems, and waste heat recovery systems.

• Social Inclusion and Empowerment:

  We prioritize creating a safe, adapted, and encouraging working environment, providing structured training and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups.

• Strategic Roadmap 2025–2029:

  Our commitment is formalized through certifications, awards, and our officially adopted Sustainable and Circular Business Strategy 2025–2029.

Confirmation of Our Future Direction

Achieving 2nd place, awarded by Generali SME EnterPRIZE, is an incredible recognition for the entire Sico team. It reaffirms that our efforts toward a green and just transition resonate across the broader business community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to the expert jury and Generali for their trust and for fostering an initiative that highlights SMEs as true ambassadors of sustainability. Congratulations to all other award-winning companies!

🔗 Official competition results:

Read more about the initiative on the official organizer website.

⚙️ Explore our sustainable solutions:

Learn more about our shredders and recycling equipment and get in touch with our team.