Dr. Max A. Hogeforster Tallinn, 15. October 2010 Hanse Parlament First annual forum of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region - Inclusion of private sector Experiences from Flagship Project “BSR QUICK” and the Baltic Sea Academy

Key to a success:  Awareness and involvement of private sector is essential for a successful implementation of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region in every priority Baltic Sea Region 2020

1. SMEs are the economic and social backbone 2.SMEs are the big players: + 99% of all companies in BSR + up to 70% of all jobs + 80% of all training posit 3. Family owned, responsible management 4. Strengthening of SMEs best way to strengthen region (urban/rural-balance) 5. SMEs are hardly in the headlines, but the most important economic and cultural factor Significance of SMEs

Hanseatic Parliament  The Hanseatic Parliament has been working actively in the interests of small and medium enterprises since 1994 and was officially established as an association in St.Petersburg in The registered office is located in the Free and Hanseatic City of Hamburg.  Network of more than 46 chambers of commerce, industry and crafts as well as similar associations around the Baltic Sea, representing more than SMEs  Objectives of the Hanseatic Parliament are:  to develop a strong, innovative economic region of world standing  to promote small and medium-sized businesses  to initiate outstanding qualifications  to deepen networking and co-operation  to strengthen sub-regions and their diversity  to establish a Hanseatic identity beyond national borders

Białystok Brest Budapest Bydgoszcz Cottbus Dresden Danzig Hamburg Helsinki Kaliningrad Kopenhagen Łódź Lublin Lübeck Lüneburg Malmö Minsk Moskau Olstzyn Oppeln Oslo Rostock Panevėžys Pori Riga Schwerin Słupsk Stockholm St.Petersburg Szczecin Tallinn Tampere Trondheim Vilnius Warschau WrocławPartners

 Concrete Measures for SME’s Seminars on “International Business” Seminars for start ups Business Forums, Country Reports… Support measures for SMEs

» language courses (English – Polish / German / Russian for SMEs) » Design Workshop (Baltic Amber) » Matchmaking Events » virtual company register ( Support measures for SMEs

Qualification = development of curriculas for 6 dual bachelor studies  Lack of qualified leading personnel at SME level. Young graduates oft either lack pracitical skills or academic knowledge  Creation of a common structure for education and vocational training with international degrees for SME managers in the Batlic Sea Region  Dual Bachelor Study Courses started in Hamburg, Buxtehude, Pori, Vilnius and Gdansk Education & Qualification

Projects to promote SMEs in the Baltic Sea Region  INTERREG Baltic Sea Region : B-SME, Baltic Supply, BSR QUICK  INTERREG North Sea Region: ERIP  LLP : Leonardo Projects: Baltic Education Business International Dual Training

 All BSR countries are facing lack of qualified personnel and managers ;Growing competition for young talents  Increasing level of qualifications is required; High need for innovative solutions asks for qualified people = Qualification is most important task for SMEs  Demographic development additional pressure within and outside of the region to attract foreign workforce  Risk for SMEs that best talents stay at university or go to major companies Questionnaire Results – Future needs of SMEs

Partnership: - 26 SME Promoters (Chambers, public SME Associations) - 9 Universities - 5 Public Administrations - 9 associated Partners (Chambers, Universities from Russia) Associated Organisations: 41 municipal level, national + EU level (BDF, CBSS, EU Parliament) Geographical Scope : All 11 BSR countries Target Group: SMEs in the BSR Duration : – INTERREG IVB: BSR QUICK

BSR QUICK in a nutshell  Foundation of a network of universities and colleges “Baltic Sea Academy”, focusing on R&D for SMEs  Cooperation with Chambers & SME representatives and administrations; both networks, “Hanse Parlament” and “Baltic Sea Academy” have an extensive geographical scope and will reach out to rural areas  Definition of three major clusters (Energy & Climate, Construction Technologies, Personnel Development)  Development of new study courses, vocational trainings (ECTS / EQF)  Creation of around 100 concrete R&D solutions for SMEs and one major R&D task  Establishment of around 500 business and financial plans for SMEs

Białystok Brest Budapest Bydgoszcz Cottbus Dresden Danzig Hamburg Helsinki Kaliningrad Kopenhagen Łódź Lublin Lübeck Lüneburg Malmö Minsk Moskau Olstzyn Oppeln Oslo Rostock Panevėžys Pori Riga Schwerin Słupsk Stockholm St.Petersburg Szczecin Tallinn Tampere Trondheim Vilnius Warschau Wrocław BSR QUICK: Chambers & Universities

Baltic Sea Academy  Foundation of a Baltic Sea Academy is a main pillar for implementating the BSR QUICK  Has been established in Hamburg on 22 nd of February 2010

BSR QUICK: Schematic Diagram 1 Baltic Sea Academy Promotion of Innovation for the BSR Network of SME promoters, 25 Chambers supported by administrations Promotion of innovation for SMEs in 11 BSR countries SME Innovation network of 9 Universities Transnational Cooperation SME Support by public administrations as partners and 41 associated organisations from local – EU Level National administrations Regional administrations Local administrations H a n s e a t i c P a r l i a m e n t Chamber as SME promoter for Region B Chamber as SME promoter for Region C Chamber as SME promoter for Region A  RTD solutions  Transfer  Qualification  Coaching  Cooperation  Innovation strategies  Information  RTD solutions  Transfer  Qualification  Coaching  Cooperation  Innovation strategies  Information  RTD solutions  Transfer  Qualification  Coaching  Cooperation  Innovation strategies  Information

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P 24, Trondheim P 24, Trondheim P 3, Hamburg P 3, Hamburg P 8, Gdansk P 8, Gdansk P 19, Vilnius P 19, Vilnius P 16, Warsaw P 16, Warsaw SMEs Chambers / SME Associations University Shared Internet Database and Electronic Tools available to all project partners and member SMEs in the BSR Tool for Energy Consulting in Buildings - New information on technology: Energy saving for private homes 1 18 SMEs 24 SMEs from several regions 15 SMEs Partner 32, Pori Cluster A Lithuanian Ministry Lithuanian Ministry Administration Example for Innovation Transfer, Cluster Energy

 Lack of personnel capacities  Less meetings, allow time for companies to address their issues  SMEs think in short time periods (2 – 3 months) and thus do not like project work that does take years;  Establish feasible short time results  establish tangible results  SMEs are relunctant to participate in bigger projects, because of possible competitors, Intellectual Property Rights etc.  ensure trustworthy enviroment, form transtnational clusters How to get private sector involved….

 Identify the needs, what does the companies really need ?  Clarifiy best approach to involvement (single companies, clusters, transnational networks)  Highlight benefits of participation to the relevant group of the private sector Attract private sector

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