Policies to promote the internationalisation of SMEs for more competitive regional ecosystems in border areas of the EU
There are borders that divide, and there are those that connect. INTER VENTURES strives for the latter one, promoting the internationalization of SMEs in EU border regions, thus contributing to their growth and increased competitiveness. The main questions to be answered are ‘What kind of capacities SME’s would need to engage in cross-border and international collaborations? How these skills and capacities can be developed? Who are the key players facilitating the internationalisation of SMEs? How do they work, and how could their activities be improved?

INTER VENTURES brings together partners from five European border regions, representing various stages of evolution of SME ecosystems, from occasional cross-border cooperation through more structured networking to international clusterization. But even the most advanced ones face issues to be tackled in order to fully exploit their specific potentials. Partners will intensely share their experiences and learn jointly via two Thematic Study Visits focusing on relevant good practices and four Interregional Meetings combining training with discussions. Regional stakeholders will be intensively involved in the process through RSG Meetings and Webinars including training, brainstorm sessions and assisted workshops. ‘Fast track’ policy improvement initiatives inducing immediate changes will be prepared and monitored through distinguished events joining key policymakers.

Lessons learnt will be adapted to regional conditions explored through targeted surveys of regional SMEs. Specific actions and measures prescribing the most appropriate ways to change the policy frameworks in partner regions will be identified in a step-by-step action planning process assisted by advisory services. As a result, tailor-made regional Action Plans will be elaborated that can lead to the desired improvement of the five selected regional ERDF and national programmes for the enhanced internationalisation of SMEs