Going Abroad – Connecting business potential across borders Sweden-Germany-Lithuania June 2011 – December 2013 A project within the framework of the South Baltic Programme

“At present the creative and business potential of women is the mostly effective potential for regional development. And it is necessary to lead this potential into the international market and the economical development! ” Quote from Danuta Hübner, at that time EU Commissioner for Regional Policy, speaking at the Nordic conference on women’s entrepreneurship, in Stockholm, October 2007.

Project objectives 1.Promote growth in small companies run by women, by supporting them in meeting the challenges associated with getting established in new markets. 2. Develop cross-border networks among companies. 3. Provide female entrepreneurs with knowledge about Swedish, German and Lithuanian legislation, regulations and methods, in respect of international trade. 4. Develop the method known as “Success Teams” across borders to give companies the opportunity to use their new knowledge in practice.

Partners 1.Region Skåne, Regional Resource Centre for Women in Skåne 2. Women into Business, Mecklenburg-West Pomerania 3. Hanseatic City of Rostock 4. Winnet Kronoberg 5. Kretinga Women’s Information and Training Centre 6. Rietvas Business Information Centre 7. Christina – the association for enterprising women, Kristianstad

Associated organisations 1.Rotorwerk Project Services, Rostock 2. Winnet Sweden 3. Winnet Europe 4. Växjö municipality 5. Kristianstad municipality 6. University of Szczecin / WRC

Projectframe and budget Start: June 1st 2011 End: 31st December 2013 Budget: € 775, 774

Results of the project 1.Business development and growth in small companies, run by women, through increased knowledge about international trade and access to international networks cross-border contacts among small business in the Southern Baltic area. 3. Handbook, Success Teams. 4. Newsletter. 5. Website. 6. Channels for electronic communication. 7. Conference to disseminate this information.

Target groups Primary target group: Women who run small companies with a potential for international business in the participating regions. Secondary target group: Resource Centres for Women, advisory organisations that work with entrepreneurs/businesswomen, organisations for commerce and industry, for example branch/trade organisations, chambers of commerce, business advisors and incubators.

Component 1: Management and coordination Partner resonible: Region Skåne Activities: 1. Project management 2. Support to the other partners in the project 3. Reporting of the project

Component 2: Communications and disseminating information Partner responsible: Region Skåne Activities/tools: 1. Publications 2. Inaugural conference 3. Conferences to disseminate information 4. Newsletters 5. Website, blog, intranet 6. Handbook, Success Teams

Component 3: Bransch networks Partner responsible: Winnet Kronoberg Activities: 1.Analysis of the current position for participating regions in respect of women’s entrepreneurship. 2. Develop a model for and thematic workshops in groups divided according to trade/branch, to promote business development. 3. Arrange cross-border meetings and business trips with the aim of establishing networks that can lead to business development. 4. Identify suitable methods for electronic communication among the cross- border workgroups.

Component 4: Success teams Partner responsible: Women into Business Activities: 1.Start Regional Success Teams in Lithuania. 2. Develop and manage cross-border Success Teams in Sweden, Germany and Lithuania. 3. Coaching and business development through thematic workshops for Success Teams. 4. Organise cross-border meetings and business trips that will lead to collaboration and business development. 5. Identify suitable methods for electronic communication among cross- border workgroups.

Contact information