About the project
Micro SMEs succumb easier to global crisis or unexpected external disturbances. However, micro SMEs operating in international markets are much more likely to recover quickly from or survive a global crisis.As such, local market presence and collaborations within the BSR will make micro SMEs more resilient by diversifying their market base, and creating local value chains that will shield them from global supply chain disruptions in the event of future exogenous shocks such as pandemics, wars or financial crisis.
Therefore, the objective of this project is to increase the resilience of BSR micro SMEs and the BSR, by stimulating increased trade and collaboration within the BSR. This will be done by providing micro SMEs with the knowledge, tools and network to execute effectful internationalisation strategies and build strong local value chains within the BSR.
The project will pilot an internationalisation programme for micro SMEs, that will have as its output a blueprint of tools and recommendations on how to increase and support local trade and value chain cooperations among micro SMEs in the BSR.
The blueprint will then be transferred to and used by the micro SMEs themselves, business development organisations and business development departments of local authorities in the Baltic Sea geography.
Project goal
The objective of this project is to increase the resilience of Baltic Sea Region micro SMEs and the Baltic Sea Region, by stimulating increased trade and collaboration within the Baltic Sea Region. This will be done by providing micro SMEs with the knowledge, tools and network to execute effectful internationalisation strategies and build strong local value chains within the Baltic Sea Region.The project will pilot an internationalisation program for micro SMEs, that will have as its output a blueprint of tools and recommendations on how to increase and support local trade and value chain cooperations among micro SMEs in the BSR.
The blueprint will then be transferred to and used by the micro SMEs themselves, business development organisations and business development departments of local authorities in the Baltic Sea geography.
The project will support 250 SMEs throughout the project.
BSR Go-Abroad is co-funded by the European Union through the Interreg Baltic Sea Region program.
About the BSR Go-abroad Blueprint
The BSR Go-abroad Blueprint is a practical guide aimed at supporting organisations and other stakeholders in their efforts to strengthen internationalisation among micro-enterprises and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the Baltic Sea Region.
The Blueprint is the result of three years of cooperation between project partners from seven countries and the active participation of 258 micro-enterprises involved in the BSR Go-abroad programme. Throughout the project, partners tested methods, tools and support measures designed to help smaller companies explore new markets, build international partnerships and strengthen their resilience through cross-border cooperation.
The publication summarises the key experiences and lessons learned from the project and translates them into practical recommendations that can be used by organisations working with business development and internationalisation.Building market and supply chain opportunities for micro-SMEs within the Baltic Sea Region.
You can find the BSR Go-Abroad Blueprint linked on the right-hand side of this page.
UN's Sustainable Development Goals
Henrik Virtanen
Senior Lecturer